TWELVE MONTHS 

IN AN ARMY 

HOSPITAL 




BY A NURSE WHO DIDNT GO ACROSS 




Class iJ Lj_^£i 



1^,-v* ^ ^- 



ii6htiN»_ 



CXS£^RIGHT DEPOSm 



a 




"Nurses are born — not made." 
See page 15. 



TWELVE MONTHS IN AN 
ARMY HOSPITAL 

■by 

A NURSE WHO DIDN'T 
GO ACROSS 



m 



@ 



Press of 

THE ABLE PRINTERS, Inc., 

Washington, D, C. 

1921. 



^^h 



Copyright, 1921, by T. Lewis. 



• 4r 

• » 



JUL 26 1221 



CIA617765 



CONTENTS 

Foreword. 

Chapter I — Just a Plain Nurse, 

Chapter II — A Red Cross Nurse. 

Chapter III — On the Road. 

Chapter IV — A Pleasant Encounter. 

Chapter V— A Wet Reception. 

Chapter VI — Enthusiasm Aroused. 

Chapter VII— On the "Field of Action." 

Chapter VIII — A Remarkable Transfor- 
mation. 

Chapter IX — Reminiscences. 

Chapter X — Christmas in the Ward. 

Chapter XI — A Change of Surroundings. 

Chapter XII— "Off Duty." 



FOREWORD 

It is with no pretention to literary- 
merit, but simply a brief record of one 
person's experiences combined with a few 
quotations and remarks, during twelve 
months spent among our sick boys, at an 
Army hospital in the U. S. A., that I at- 
tempt, at the oft repeated request of a 
few friends, to write these notes, taken 
partly from letters written at that time, 
but mostly from incidents which recur to 
my mind after a period of two years and 
over. 

Some may object to a tone of lightness 
found in these notes, and to that I would 
say that the desire to avoid making them 
appear cheerless and gloomy, coming as 
they do from the saddest of scenes, an 
Army hospital, has to some extent, pro- 
duced too much the opposite color, to those 
who have never experienced the sharp 
contrasts of the tragic and comic in such a 
life. With the desire to sow at least some 
good seed along the way, even tho' hand 
in hand with what might appear like lev- 



ity as found in some portions of the little 
book, I hope may not argue the fact of a 
proper reverence for holy things, either 
a lack of appreciation of the comic wher- 
ever it appeared. A wise preacher has 
said, that "A merry heart doeth good as a 
medicine" and one found this proverb 
amply verified by the beneficial effect upon 
a ward of sick men which a good laugh 
produced. 

The boys took to a good joke like a duck 
to water, so along with the pills, moral 
lectures and general army orders, went 
wherever possible a little merriment as a 
variation from the other treatments. If 
this little book should meet with any favor 
whatever from the public I can only re- 
gret that it is not more worthy of such 
a kind reception. 

It has suited my fancy, to substitute 
names of persons and places in these notes, 
with the exception of a few of the towns. 

T. E. L. 




CHAPTER I 

Just a Plain Nurse 

do not know that a sufficiently- 
large number of persons will 
care to read about the doings 
of a nurse while trying to do 
her bit to help along the suc- 
cess of the World War, to make it worth 
while writing about, but for some time, by 
the urgent request of some friends, and 
by the aid of the inconvenient little voice 
which is always goading people to the per- 
formance of disagreeable duties, I have 
decided to try to do my best toward set- 
ting down on paper, a few of the happen- 
ings which occurred during that time. 

After a lapse of several months I sup- 
pose it will be somewhat difficult to recall 
many interesting events, and had I but 
jotted down a few notes, as they happened 
all thru those months, it would be much 
easier to write an interesting account of 
the work there at this time. 

I am of the opinion that one should have 
a worthy object in view before attempt- 



ing anything, and it is with a wish to 
portray to the friends and relatives of our 
soldier boys, a picture so clear that they 
may see as we nurses saw, how their boys 
felt, tho't, acted, and were treated, while 
away in training, for I believe if there was 
any one set of individuals who were per- 
mitted to see the inside workings of the 
life of those boys while in the army hos- 
pital it was that humble, but necessary 
adjunct to a Base Hospital, The Red Cross 
Nurse. 

I wish all America could have seen how 
bravely and patiently our boys bore the 
hardships of camp life, for, tho they were 
still in our own country, there were hard- 
ships, and plenty of them, and many and 
varied were the occasions to call forth acts 
of heroism, not all of which were enacted 
upon battle-field or in the trenches. 

I fear no one but a nurse will appreciate 
what it means to find a whole ward, con- 
taining forty or fifty suffering men, first 
night post operative patients, having had, 
not even the minimum dose of an opiate, 
but not a groan, a moan, or murmur, of 
any sort, — ^but that is part of my story ! 

I entered the Red Cross nursing service 
in the early part of the year 1917, which 

8 



saw me in our Capital City doing private 
nursing. I had gone there to take the 
State Board examination, and finding so 
many congenial spirits in the nursing 
world there, I just stayed. I had a room 
and boarded at the Central Registry which 
was run by a nurse. Miss Raber, a lady of 
very fine character and high aspirations, 
I found it a great pleasure on many occa- 
sions, to listen to her talk as she was a 
woman whose knowledge was far reaching 
in all branches of nursing work, and hav- 
ing attended many of the National con- 
ventions, was up to the minute on all sub- 
jects pertaining to our work, as well as 
being a woman of kindly nature, very 
much interested in everything that was 
uplifting, and would go to no end of trou- 
ble to help those who were in need, if she 
could. She was very highly thought of 
by those who gathered around her, but 
could on occasion be very severe should 
any nurse happen to fall below the high 
standard with which she expected all 
"her nurses," as she called them, to con- 
duct themselves. 

I went about with her a great deal that 
summer when "off duty" to church, on 
shopping expeditions, to visit the Base 
Hospital at Camp D , which was in 



process of construction, a short distance 
from the city. I found her a most con- 
genial, pleasant, and agreeable companion 
upon these occasions, and I grew very 
fond of her. Thp* she was at all times 
jovial and merry, there was always a 
certain reserve, which rare characters 
possess, which recalls a paragraph of 
Emerson's Essays, which says that we do 
not get near enough to become thoroughly 
acquainted, but seem to nod to one anoth- 
er from our respective peaks, (as it were) . 
I always had some such feeling about my 

friend Miss R , and felt just a little in 

awe of her. 

There were some two hundred nurses, 
from various states, staying here at this 
time. The Central Registry was indeed 
the center of nursing activities of the city, 
as well as I may say, also of the State. 
For it was necessary for all nurses upon 
graduation from their hospital anywhere 
in the state, to come to the Capital City 
to take the State examination, whereupon 
passing successfully, they eventually 
found their way to the Registry, and find- 
ing such a congenial wholesome atmos- 
phere about the place, decided, if any 
rooms were available, to make it their 
permanent abode, for awhile at least, as I 

10 



had done. Groups of nurses would be 
found in living-room, parlor or on the ver- 
anda, talking of current events, but more 
often of the War, and happenings in con- 
nection with it. It was inevitable that 
nurses would be called too, and there were 
some rumors afloat to the effect that 
nurses were to be conscripted the same 
as the soldiers. 

We tho't, most of us, that it would be a 
great disgrace to the nursing profession, 
should the nurses neglect to voluntarily 
offer their services, thereby incurring the 
humiliating danger of being compelled to 
go. There were many gatherings of a so- 
cial nature among the nurses that sum- 
mer, one I will mention in particular. 

I had come in from a case in the coun- 
try, one afternoon late in May, and found 
the nurses who were "in" some dozen or 
more, in a furor of excitement, in antici- 
pation of a dinner, which was to be given 
the nurses that evening, by the State 
Nursing organization, at a tea room on 
the 7th floor of one of the finest depart- 
ment stores in the city. It was to be in 
honor of a nurse, who had been recalled 
by the Red Cross Organization, from a 
Base Hospital in the west, to prepare to 
be sent overseas. 

11 



Miss Bois, the nurse in question, was at 
that moment, right under our very roof. 
All the nurses who happened to be "in" 
that evening, were given a ticket and an 
invitation. This was a very briUiant and 
enjoyable affair. There were about fifty 
nurses present, all the bright and shining 
lights in the nursing world of our particu- 
lar State were there, and the speeches, 
toasts and repartee, were very instructive 
as well as entertaining. Out of the large 
number of nurses who roomed at the Reg- 
istry, comparatively few took their meals 
there, and we who did, had a chance to be- 
come quite well acquainted. Miss Bois 
stayed here while preparing to go to 
France, and upon close acquaintance, she 
appeared to be just the right sort of per- 
son to be sent over. Strong, physically 
perfect, a woman of fine character, old 
enough to be sensible, kind-hearted, sym- 
pathetic, her whole heart in the work, and 
if many a mother's son does not bless the 
day the A. E. F. sent such a nurse across, 
then ril "miss my guess." 

Of course, we who were staying behind, 
were glad for her good luck, while we en- 
vied her early departure, but contented 
ourselves with the thought that we would 
join her there ere long. But when the 

12 



Armistice was signed, I was still here, but 
was so glad the horrible war was ended, 
that I was only too willing to forego the 
exciting experiences overseas. I was at 
the Registry upon that memorable even- 
ing, while sitting with a group of nurses 
upon the veranda, when the newsboy's cry 
of "Extra — War declared on Germany" 
made our hearts stop beating and our lips 
pale. Eagerly we scanned the sheet which 
proved that it was no idle farce, that the 
country was to call its brave sons ere long 
to go forth to bleed and die, if necessary, 
for the cause of right and justice. It 
seemed a very sad day to have come to, 
here in our own beautiful free America. 

I resolved there and then, to go and 
nurse the soldiers, little dreaming thru 
what sloughs of despond, in the shape of 
delays,^ hindrances, of one kind and anoth- 
er, and entanglements of "Government 
Red Tape" one would have to wade, ere 
the resolve came true. 

First a letter to Washington for general 
information as to the procedure of enter- 
ing Red Cross work. While waiting word 
from Washington, a letter to the "Alma 
Mater" for indorsement, credentials, etc. 
In the meantime examinations moral, 
mental and physical, sundry dosages of 

13 



typhoid, para-typhoid, and smallpox anti- 
toxin and vaccine. A somewhat lengthy 
delay in hearing from my hospital, caus- 
ing all sorts of vague speculations, as to 
the cause. 

Every thoughtless deed and action, 
which our hapless natures had perpetrat- 
ed throughout the three years hospital 
training, was no doubt being reviewed by 
that august facluty, and woe to that poor 
luckless damsel who could not present, if 
not an entirely spotless career, one at 
least passably exemplary. Never in all 
those "uncertain-as-to-what-may-bef all- 
you" years in training, had the Superin- 
tendent wielded such a weapon as was in 
her power for influence at this time. Even 
some of the doctors must add their ap- 
proval or disapproval, as the case might 
be. I wondered if in some reckless un- 
guarded moment of vexation I had spoken 
my mind too freely in an unflattering 
manner to some of the doctors, incurring 
their wrath and life-long prejudice per- 
haps. If such be the case, then my "blood 
was upon my own head." Retribution had 
overtaken me at last. 

A long tedious day in any hospital 
crowded with harassing duties, is not at 
all times conductive to that evenness of 
temperament and kindliness of disposi- 

14 



tion, the author had in mind who wrote 
that ''Nurses are born, not made," "and 
what impels a woman to become a nurse 
is the eternal instinct of motherliness, the 
compassion for suffering, and when that 
grace is born very big in a woman, the 
idea of caring for the sick, entices her ir- 
resistably." This is all very beautiful, 
and it was with some such exalted 
thoughts that I had entered upon my pro- 
fession, and I thought then and do yet, 
that the medical profession likewise when 
followed in the proper spirit, is a contin- 
ual source of moral satisfaction and hap- 
piness to the generous heart, for its aim is 
to alleviate human suffering, and lengthen 
out human existence. Its ambition is to 
gladden as well as to prolong human life, 
by warding off disease as the greatest of 
mortal evils, and restoring health and at 
times reason itself as the greatest of mor- 
tal blessings. 

But during the toilsome days of train- 
ing, amid the numerous cares and respon- 
sibilities, the rush to get on duty on time 
causing one to neglect the most import- 
ant of all duties, that of "buckling on the 
whole armor," thru prayer soliciting our 
Heavenly Father's aid to withstand the 
wiles of the Devil, and keep that through- 
out the day which we have committed to 

15 



Him, without which preparation for each 
day's battle, one is so apt to forget the 
noble end in the trying means, and when 
weary and overburdened with numerous 
cares, it is so easy to get it into one's head 
that one is being put upon, that the doc- 
tor was more exacting and tyranical than 
necessary, that the head nurse was cross 
and unjust, or the janitor too stupid, or 
some one or a thousand of the grievances 
one can always hatch up if they do not 
persistently rely upon that admonition of 
our dear Lord and Master, to "let not the 
heart be troubled." 

I waited, patiently as I could, busy most 
of the time, on cases either in town or in 
the country for a word of commendation 
from my school. On occasions off duty, I 
would learn of meetings being held among 
the nursing lights, disbanded again, and 
still no word from my home hospital. 
Spring faded and summer waned, and at 
length just as I was about giving up all 
hope of ever being accounted worthy of 
having my name sent to Washington as a 
candidate for the high honor and exalted 
privilege of nursing "sick America," I en- 
countered Miss Raber in the hall one day 
early in the fall, which set my heart aflut- 
ter with anticipation and hope. 



16 




CHAPTER II 

A Red Cross Nurse 

©S Miss Raber who on occasion 
wears a very severe ''front" 
outwardly, belying the kindli- 
ness of nature beneath, bore 
down upon me, and brought 
up directly in front of me with an air of 
something of unusual importance in her 
manner, my thoughts flew every way like 
panic stricken rabbits. I knew that what- 
ever my fate was to be, I was at last to 
find out. I had been so anxious to be a 
Red Cross Nurse, to go and nurse the sick 
soldiers back to health so they could go 
and win the war, I had been working so 
hard, and was so anxious to hear a com- 
mendable word from my "Alma Mater" 
who no doubt had been so busy with the 
multiplicity of demands upon an institu- 
tion of that kind, had probably pigeon- 
holed my request until some more conve- 
nient time, or perhaps were weighing me 
in the balance and finding we wanting! 
Oh ! Why had I let the golden days of op- 

17 



portunity slip, when I might have gone 
out of my way, and been extra nice to 
everybody connected ever so remotely 
with that venerable seat of learning? 

Why! Oh! Why? had I not frankly 
spoken out words conveying the respect, 
and admiration I secretly cherished for all 
those high and mighty ones connected 
with it, but foolishly keeping such talent 
hid "under a bushel" when it might have 
been proclaimed from the housetops, and 
thereby have won a grain or two of char- 
ity with which I found myself in such dire 
need at this momentous time! 

Thoughts like these flew confusedly 
thru my mind in less time that it takes to 
tell it. 

They say a drowning person will see a 
whole lifetime pass in review in a mo- 
ment just at the last, and like one of these 
tragic persons, I felt that this was the 
moment in which I was called upon to give 
up, if not my life, a cherished scheme 
which had taken quite an important place 
in my plans. I think the years of my hos- 
pital life passed in that brief moment of 
suspense, as I tried to recall the worst, 
most ominous of deeds or misdeeds. Be- 
fore I could get my thoughts mobilized 
into any kind of semblance to order. Miss 

18 



Raber spoke, and the words with which 
she greeted me, showed me that I had 
been courting misfortune needlessly, had 
been pursuing disaster when it was try- 
ing its best to evade me. She said, "Your 
hospital has been heard from, and your 
credentials are good! — very good!" I 
drew a long breath of relief as I gave my- 
self a mental slap for my needless worries, 
and resolved thenceforth to consider my- 
self a care-free young woman with plain 
sailing before her, for as I believed, the 
worst of my difficulties were over. My 
name had already been sent to the War 
Department she said, as an eligible candi- 
date for the R. C. Nursing Service, and in 
little more than a week, I received a large 
official looking envelope, containing sun- 
dry information, rules and regulations, 
also a questionnaire which I was to fill out 
and return, which I did in short order, and 
awaited the consequences. Before hear- 
ing from the War Department again, I 
was called upon a case about one hundred 
miles from the city to a village in the 
northern part of the state. I was here 
about three weeks, when one day I re- 
ceived a message by phone, from the Red 
Cross Secretary at D., saying my orders 
had arrived from Washington, and that I 
must be ready to leave the following day 

19 



for goodness knows where, away down 
south in the "land of cotton." 

Now I am usually a decorously behaved 
young lady, and though I felt like doing 
the ''fisher's hornpipe" in the center of the 
floor just then, need not argue to the con- 
trary. I kept my feelings, also my feet 
under control however, and sedately 
enough informed the family that I would 
have to go. My patient was by this time 
convalescent, and entered as did all the 
members of the family into the spirit of 
the affair, with as much ardor as if I had 
been the favorite son preparing to go away 
to war. I had many lovely letters from 
this home later, which comforted, cheered 
and amused me, amid the busy scenes of 
hospital life in the Army. 

But here I was one-hundred miles from 
the city, which having reached, would have 
a hundred and one odds and ends of small 
affairs to attend to, which would all take 
time, like changing my transportation in- 
to a ticket, see to procuring a berth, get 
dresses from laundry, telegraph my darl- 
ing folks, and "proceed without delay" 
upon the 3rd of December, and this was 
the 2nd! 

In making a prognosis of the whole af- 
fair, I decided that my venerable uncle 
was decidedly unreasonable, and had asked 

20 



the impossible. And I forthwith resolved 
that if the welfare of the southern portion 
of the American Army depended upon my 
movements, it would have to wait until I 
could get a convenient start, and I pro- 
ceeded to wire the powers at Washington 
to that effect. I got a stern and curt 
order in reply, to ''proceed at once !" 

With vague surmisings of what the out- 
come might be, should I begin my quar- 
reling with my most respected Uncle at 
the outset, but with resolutions undaunted 
I firmly stuck to my resolve, that if the 
Southern Base Hospital had gotten along 
so far without my valuable assistance, it 
would in all probability survive twenty- 
four hours longer, thus enabling me to get 
my breath and my bearings, to say noth- 
ing about getting to town, cramming a 
few things into trunk and bag, securing 
my ticket and berth and reading over my 
traveling orders, etc., etc. I found my 
blessed sister awaiting me when I arrived 
at the Registry. She had come like a dear 
good angel with a pile of bran new white 
uniforms to see me off before embarking 
upon war work herself which was to take 
her to the National Capital later. I had 
not seen my dear sister for several 
months, and it was a glad as well as a sad 
meeting between us, for we knew not how 

21 



much longer this dreadful war might sep- 
arate us. 

Taking a cab upon alighting from the 
train at D., I flew thru the December slush 
to the Registry as if the Huns were after 
me, where, like many another recruit, I 
burst in among the nurses, and my wait- 
ing sister with the announcement: "Fve 
enlisted, and am off to the Army." My 
sister spent the night with me, and was 
to accompany me all the way back toward 
the town of Keokuk which seemed very 
comforting. We spent the next day to- 
gether, trotting about the city streets 
until nine o'clock, shopping and doing all 
those last errands which I fear no woman 
would even go to Heaven without attempt- 
ing if she could. 

Even with the whole day I had pilfered 
from "Uncle Sam" I hadn't time to pack 
systematically, but threw things into my 
trunk, sat on the lid to make it go down, 
had the baggageman rope it, and we were 
off. 

A December twilight amid falling snow 
is not the most cheering time to embark 
upon a somewhat perilous enterprise, and 
but for the presence of Ruth I fear I 
might have added a drop or two of the 
"briny" to the native moisture of the 
"town I left behind me." 

22 



CHAPTER III 




On the Road 

)F our departure from the Reg- 
istry which had been my 
home for the past eight 
months, there remains in my 

mind a blurred impression of 

handshaking, embraces, wildly waving 
handkerchiefs, and a comic picture of 
Hepzabah the cook, "flapping" her arms 
on the doorstep. 

Ruth and I spent half the night waiting 
in an out-of-the-way station, somewhere 
between D— and B— -, for the thru train 
to St. Louis, fully intending to keep awake 
as a sort of vigil, appropriate to the occa- 
sion, but along toward midnight I fell 
asleep in spite of myself and the uncom- 
fortable chair and had propitious dreams, 
until awakened by a loud masculine voice 
proclaiming that the train C B & Q f or 
St. Louis was on the track outside. It 
was seven o'clock next morning when the 
train pulled into B, and a bright day smil- 
ed upon my undertaking. Ruth and I en- 

23 



joyed our breakfast together on the train, 
in spite of the fact that the next stop 
would be the town of K— , where she 
would leave me and we had but a few mo- 
ments more together, they being taken up 
with giving messages for the dear ones 
whom I should not see ere leaving. So 
amid good-byes, caresses, embraces and 
admonitions to write soon and often, we 
bade each other farewell. 

How empty the train seemed after she 
had gone. We waved as long as the slow 
moving train permitted a glimpse of each 
other, and at this juncture "I took the 
veil" and what I did behind it was, as 
Nurse Pemberton would say "Nobody's 
business." 

But I contend that the soldier who cries 
when his mother says good-bye, is the boy 
to fight best and die bravest, and when the 
time comes, to go back to her better than 
he went. 

I was spinning along southward at the 
rate of sixty miles an hour, and would 
have enjoyed every moment but for the 
thought that every turn of the wheels was 
taking me farther from those I loved. 

Meanwhile the head beneath the purple 
be-tasseled hat, fermented with all sorts 
of heroic thoughts and high purposes to 

24 



do or die, perhaps both, and the heart 
under the big checked coat was very ten- 
der with thoughts of the loved ones I was 
leaving behind and had no way of telling 
when I would ever see them again. 

I have made it a habit throughout life, 
upon setting out upon any new undertak- 
ing, to invoke the Divine guidance and 
blessing upon my endeavors, and I believe, 
as one of our famous writers have said, 
that one should never have one's heart so 
set upon any one scheme, to the extent 
that one would not as readily do something 
else if it were the Lord's will, else it be- 
comes a wrong. Many times I fail miser- 
ably in being the blessing I long to be in 
whatever corner of this old world I find 
myself, and at times I find it necessary to 
upbraid myself most severely on self ex- 
amination, at the little done towards the 
great end proposed at the beginning of 
each New Year. For I resolve upon read- 
ing a portion of the Bible each night and 
morning, as well as offering up prayer 
each morn and at eve, also many times 
thru the day, for that Divine guidance and 
help without which it is impossible to 
please God. I reason that if Christ, our 
elder brother, who was sinless and with- 
out guile, found it imperative to spend the 

25 



whole nights in prayer, how presumptuous 
for weak human mortals to claim to be 
His followers, without that humble de- 
pendence for help from Him, which He 
showed toward His Father. In spite of 
the urgent prayer of my heart continually 
to God to keep me from a vain and over- 
bearing spirit, I fear I do many vain, fool- 
ish and selfish things, but with the hope 
and faith in Him to yet rid me entirely, of 
all ignorance, weakness and sin for His 
Name's Sake, I trust that He will do it. 

Settling myself in my seat, I read my 
traveling orders and my assignment to 
duty, which read something like this: 
"With the approval of the Secretary of 
War, Tola Ellen Lee, of the town of 
D, in the State of Iowa, Reserve Nurse, 
Army Nurses Corps, is hereby assigned to 
active service in the Military establish- 
ment, and will enter upon her duties after 
taking the oath prescribed by Section 1757 
of the Revised Statutes of the United 
States," which was duly signed by Bert 
W. Caldwell, Major M. R. C, U. S. Army. 

I read another paper also signed by 
Major Caldwell, which stated that, Re- 
serve Nurse, Tola Ellen Lee, was here- 
by authorized to proceed without delay to 
United States Army Base Hospital, 

26 



Camp B— in the state of L — near the 
town of A — -. Well here I was proceeding 
without much delay, I thought as I collect- 
ed my various small articles together, pre- 
paratory to getting settled for a six hours 
ride before changing trains. I inspected 
my ticket which my thoughtful, generous 
Uncle Sam had considerately provided me 
with, and for which I was very grateful, 
relieving me of the necessity of wasting 
my substance on railroad companies, when 
perhaps the boys might need "even a spin- 
ster's mite," while thoughts of the scant 
remuneration which was allotted to nurses 
serving in the Army was conducive to- 
ward husbanding what resources I had in 
hand, as far as it was possible. 

I look much at my traveling orders, for 
I have a feeling that if I keep that straight 
in my mind I won't go far wrong. "I sort 
out my tickets, and put them in every con- 
ceivable place that they may be get-at- 
able, and I finish by losing them entirely. 
Suffer agonies until a compassionate 
neighbor pokes them out from between 
the seat and back with a toothpick, put 
them in the innermost corner of my purse, 
and that in the deepest recess of my 
pocket, pile a collection of miscellaneous 
articles on top and pin up the whole. Just 

27 



get composed, feeling that I had done my 
best to keep them safely, when the con- 
ductor appears and I*m forced to rout 
them all out again, exposing my precau- 
tions and getting into a flutter at keeping 
the man waiting." 

A whole company of soldier boys who 
had boarded the train in a northern state, 
and filled several coaches ahead (I heard 
the porter tell a gentleman in the seat 
next mine) and were bound for an Army 
camp farther south, kept the air lively 
with patriotic songs. There were some 
splendid voices among them, and their 
music helped to make the hours fly past 
quickly for all the passengers, as well as 
themselves. 

I had sent a message by telegraph from 
D — before leaving, to a friend in St. L., 
and when the train pulled into the station 
she greeted me with her usual cheery smile 
and hearty embrace, took me out to her 
lovely home and delightfully beguiled what 
would have otherwise proven a long ted- 
ious wait at the station. After a deli- 
cious dinner, my friends accompanied me 
to the train, and with many good byes, 
I once more take up my journey alone. 
Circumstances are such in these days that 
to travel very far in a sleeper, one does 

28 



not stay alone. There are always nice 
persons sociably inclined, and having 
heard "complaints of the absurd way in 
which American women become images of 
petrified propriety if addressed by a 
stranger when traveling alone, a sort of 
inborn perversity of nature caused me to 
assume an entirely opposite style of de- 
portment, and finding a companion hails 
from somewhere in Missouri where one of 
my classmates was from, and was ac- 
quainted with several of the fifty-seven 
cousins of Molly's, I put my bashfulness 
into my pocket and plunge into a long dis- 
cussion on the war, weather, music, Dick- 
ens, sleighing, skating, ouija-boards, and 
the immortality of the soul." 

Shortly after leaving St. L. I fell in with 
a most delightful couple, a gentleman and 
lady, somewhere in the sixties I should 
judge, whose berth was directly opposite 
mine across the aisle. The lady whose 
name was Mrs. Stone had shared my seat 
while the porter arranged hers for the 
night. As soon as she learned that I was 
a nurse bound for a camp hospital, she 
became very much interested in me seem- 
ingly, and at the first opportunity intro- 
duced her husband to me. It was evident 
that they were people of culture and re- 



29 



finement, as well as persons of means. 
She was dressed very plainly as well as 
quietly, in the best of taste, as all really 
genteel folks are prone to do when travel- 
ing. Her dress of black silk was covered 
by a black cloak— plain but of rich mater- 
ial. She wore a neat small black hat which 
was very becoming to her sweet face fram- 
ed in soft gray hair. 

In some way she made me think of my 
own dear mother so long away, and it is 
not strange that I enjoyed every moment 
of their society. Mr. Stone, a man of large 
stature, hair quite gray, a good strong 
face, just the kind of man that has a way 
of making everyone feel perfectly com- 
fortable and at ease in his company. They 
were returning to their home in the south, 
from Battle Creek, Michigan, where they 
had accompanied their daughter who had 
remained as a patient in a sanitarium 
there. Having become attached to the 
nurses there, they were more interested 
in all nurses and their work than they 
might otherwise have been. We traveled 
together pleasantly, taking our meals to- 
gether, and sitting together at other 
times, Mr. Stone attending to all checking 
of baggage, etc., until we separated in a 
southern city, where they had to take a 

30 



different train to their home. It was while 
eating our breakfast in a cafe adjoining 
the station at this place that a portly, fine 
looking gentleman came toward our table. 
As he did so, Mr. Stone arose, greeted him 
cordially and shook the extended hand of 
the distinguished gentleman most heart- 
ily. After the newcomer had gone thru 
the same cordial greeting with Mrs. Stone 
and exchanged a few words of kindly soli- 
citation in regard to their health and wel- 
fare, as well as that of their daughter then 
at Battle Creek, his eyes turned in my di- 
rection. Mrs. Stone promptly gave an in- 
troduction. Our distinguished friend 
proved to be no other than Governor B — 
of the state of A — . In introducing me, 
Mrs. Stone had explained my mission as 
well as destination, adding that they had 
taken me "under their wing," and were 
only too sorry they could not accompany 
me to the camp, as he knew a very much 
loved stepson was then an officer at the 
camp toward which I was going. The 
Governor shook my hand heartily as he 
expressed a very deep interest in the camp 
in L — , as he said the troops there were 
made up largely of boys from his own 
state. After bidding them good bye with 
many good wishes, and a word of God's 
speed to me as he shook my hand again 

31 



at parting, he was gone. It seemed the 
Governor had been a most intimate friend 
of Mr. Stone's family, and had at one time 
cherished a particular regard for the 
daughter who was then a patient in a san- 
itarium in Michigan, whom it seems had 
been a classmate at college. 

I felt very lonely after I had parted 
from these genial folks. As they told me 
good bye, they gave me a bit of pasteboard 
which was to serve as a card of introduc- 
tion to the stepson at Camp B — , who was 
then a Lieutenant Colonel in the A — Re- 
serves, and whom they seemed most de- 
sirous that I should meet. I am sorry to 
say that I never made myself known to 
that honorable gentleman, though many 
times later I heard him spoken of as a man 
of sterling worth. Officers and men alike, 
those who knew him well, held a very high 
regard for him. Before I left the hospi- 
tal I heard of his promotion to the rank 
of a Colonelcy. 

I had left D — in a raging snow storm, 
had traveled but a couple of days and 
nights, and here I found myself in a land 
where flowers were in bloom outside in 
gardens. The air was warm and balmy, 
just like the first days of spring at home. 
I had not expected to find such a notice- 

32 



able difference in the climate quite so 
soon. 

The country through which we were 
passing did not seem so very unlike that I 
had left, except that it was more level and 
less wintry. I suppose in summertime the 
wide fields would have shown me new 
sights, and the wayside hedges, blossomed 
with new flowers. Now everything was 
sere and sodden, and a general air of 
shiftlessness prevailed which would have 
caused a northern farmer much disgust, 
and a strong desire to "get a hustle on," 
and right up things. 

Dingy little houses with chimneys built 
outside, stood in barren looking fields, with 
cow, mule or pig lounging near the door. 
We passed many colored people looking as 
if they had come out of a picture book, or 
off the stage, but not at all like the sort 
of people I'd been accustomed to see at 
the north. 



33 




CHAPTER IV 

A Pleasant Encounter 

^HEN I entered the parlor car at 
L — R — upon the last lap of 
my journey, I spied in one end 
of the car a writing desk con- 
taining pen, ink, blotter, etc. 
I hastily scribbled off a few postals to 
friends and relatives, before the train 
should start, paid a boy to mail them, then 
settled myself in one of the comfortable 
easy chairs, and gave myself up to 
thoughts of what I should do when the 
train pulled into the station at A — , and I 
found my journey at an end. 

By instructions received before leaving, 
I had wired the camp hospital at my last 
stop, so there would be someone to meet 
me when I should arrive, so there was 
nothing now to do but to sit and watch the 
southern fields fly past, and as there was 
yet a whole day on the train I had plenty 
of time to think upon the work I was 
about entering upon. I had been all thru 
the Base Hospital at Camp D — which was 

34 



near my home, had talked with many of 
the nurses on duty there, and in view of 
this fact, it is rather funny that I should 
seem to have a feeling that I was the only 
nurse going to this camp hospital in the 
south. I do not know if I had formed any 
idea, as to how I was going to run it all by 
myself or not, for just then my attention 
was attracted by a most capable looking 
young person carrying a suitcase in one 
hand. Something in the way she managed 
that suitcase, as tho' from much familiar- 
ity it had become as it were, a part of her- 
self, proclaimed her, to my mental con- 
sciousness to be a traveling nurse. She 
was in the act of speaking to another 
young lady who had a self-sufficient, world- 
wise air about her which seemed strange- 
ly familiar. I had never laid eyes upon 
either of them before, but my first con- 
victions were right, for they were, both of 
them nurses, I thought without a shade of 
doubt and perhaps bound for the same 
destination as myself. As I watched them 
I noticed the younger of the two, who was 
still standing, incline her head in my di- 
rection, and I overheard the remark, "If 
I am not mistaken, that is another one 
over there." Just then a third young 
woman came from somewhere farther 
down the car with a smiling face and out- 

35 



stretched hand, saying as she came nearer 
the two first mentioned, "I believe I be- 
long to this family V That she was one of 
our sisterhood was plain for a Red Cross 
Badge adorned her coat. This was too 
much for me to stay in obscurity longer, 
so with the words "and I too," I joined 
the group and we had a hearty laugh to- 
gether for introduction, from sheer glad- 
ness of spirit, at finding other members 
of our fraternity in the same "boat" with 
ourselves, and bound for the same hospi- 
tal. We became old acquaintances on the 
spot, as all nurses wherever they meet, 
seem to feel an understanding of each 
other that makes it impossible to remain 
strangers in each other's society. These 
three were all from different states, one 
coming from Minnesota, one from Penn- 
sylvania, and the other from Michigan. 
Only one out of the four eventually get- 
ting to France, Miss Rollins, the one from 
Minnesota going over with the first unit 
called from our Base. Miss Keating was 
too old, and Miss Yates, I have heard, went 
back to her institutional work after the 
war. For myself, I always found too 
much to do here in the United States to 
leave, until the war was over, and then it 
was too late to go. To say that we four 
enjoyed the remainder of the trip is put- 

86 



ting it mildly. We felt what we were, a 
happy family. We dined together, talked 
together, sat together, and wherever the 
train stopped long enough, we alighted 
and took kodak pictures of the quaint 
scenes and objects along the way. Not 
one of us had ever been so far south be- 
fore, and the quaint and comical rural 
scenes and sights along the route brought 
forth bursts of merriment and laughter 
many times. 

Miss Rollins observed that we need not 
feel alarmed any more, if we should find 
all our hair falling out, as she perceived 
that hair switches grew on trees in the 
south. And indeed the cypress trees with 
the fine feathery, hair-like foliage, which 
hanging from their branches, could be lik- 
ened to nothing more appropriate than 
hair switches. 

At a town near a lumber camp, a Red 
Cross car was standing on the switch, and 
as our engine had to take on water, we 
had quite a long wait here. We alighted 
to the ground and while walking about, 
the Lieutenant in charge of the Red Cross 
car, seeing by our badges that we were 
nurses, tho't we might find an inspection 
of his car interesting. 

I had not worn my Red Cross pin until 

37 



joining the other nurses, and, as we 
laughingly said, having the weight of each 
other's society to back us we had donned 
the emblem of our trade, which the Gov- 
ernment had forwarded us along with our 
other official property. This Lieutenant 
who was an M. D. was in the Government 
employ. His field the whole country 
wherever there were lumber camps, saw 
mills and large crowds of working men. 
His duties were to demonstrate and teach 
first aid principles to the men. 

The car was tastefully equipped with all 
necessary articles pertaining to Red Cross 
first aid work, and we found it very in- 
teresting. Besides his supplies, this young 
doctor also carried a puppy dog, for he 
was but a boy, but his talk and demon- 
stration of the work he had in hand was 
very entertaining. He was a pleasant, aff- 
able young person, and upon our leaving 
his car he wished us much good luck and 
hoped he would see us in France later, as 
he hoped to go over himself as soon as he 
had finished the work he was now doing. 

A long hot afternoon on a train thru 
the south is not the most exciting theme 
for a story, but though it was December 
and we were attired in woolen dresses, the 
air was warm as though we might have 

38 



been transplanted into some tropical clime 
in the middle of July. We found it rather 
amusing to watch the cotton bedecked 
chim.neys, in fact everything seemed to be 
decorated in cotton. I suppose the wind 
had blown it from some of the numerous 
bales we saw, and lodging on any project- 
ing obstacle, looked as though the country 
had gone to decorating thus early for 
Christmas, and was bent on making Santa 
Clauses out of everything. Even the 
fences and fence posts did not escape but 
were resplendent in festoons of white 
downy cotton. 

Miss Yates burst into laughter as she 
pointed to an aged negro man, who being 
hatless, showed his head to be covered 
with the same mode of decoration, but in 
this instance, it was wool instead of cot- 
ton. 

As night came on, there was nothing to 
be seen outside but darkness made visible, 
and nothing inside but every variety of 
bunch into which the human form could 
be "rolled, twisted or massed." 

Every man's legs sprawled drowsily, 
every woman's head (but we four) nods 
till it finally settles on somebody's should- 
er. Children fret, lovers whisper, old folks 
snore, and somebody privately imbibes 

39 



brandy. The penetrating perfume rouses 
the multitude causing some to start up 
like war horses at the smell of powder. 
When more lights are turned on everyone 
sniffs wry-facedly, looks inquiringly at his 
neighbor. Everyone but a stout gentle- 
man, who, with hands folded upon his 
broadcloth rotundity, sleeps on impressive- 
ly. Had he been innocent, he would have 
waked up, for to slumber in that babe-like 
manner, with a car full of giggling, star- 
ing, sniffing humanity, was simply pre- 
posterous. 

Public suspicion was down on him at 
once. I doubt if the appearance of a flask 
with a label would have settled the matter 
more effectively than did the over-digni- 
fied and profound repose of this short- 
sighted being. His moral necktie, vir- 
tuous boots, and pious attitude availed 
him nothing, and it was well he kept his 
eyes shut, for "Humbug," twinkled at him 
from every light, window-pane, and hu- 
man eye around him. 

It was long past midnight when our 
train pulled into the town of A — , and 
even at that untoward hour one could feel 
that it was a big dirty, shippy, shiftless 
place, full of goats, geese and negroes to 
judge from the depot. Upon inquiring we 

4U 



found that no one had come to meet us, 
so we decided to call up the camp hospital 
and find out what they wanted us to do. 
Being a part of the Army now, we felt it 
our duty to wait for further orders before 
making any move. Miss Rollins emerged 
from the telephone booth with the infor- 
mation that there was no place at the hos- 
pital for us, as an influx of nurses had 
filled all the rooms, but that they would 
have accommodations for us by the next 
day; meanwhile there was a conveyance 
on the way in to take us to the hotel, 
where we were to stay until further orders 
from the camp. In a short while our con- 
veyance arrived ; a big lumbersome ambu- 
lance, one of the kind used in bringing the 
sick boys from the camp, a distance of two 
miles, to the hospital. The boy driving 
this vehicle was a New England chap from 
Vermont, who had come with a unit of 
hospital corps men to the camp some 
months earlier. As it was somewhat of a 
new experience to ride in an Army ambu- 
lance truck, he helped us to get settled 
with our bags under our feet, and upon 
arriving at the hotel, he turned spokes- 
man for the crowd, for which we were 
duly grateful, as we were very tired after 
our long journey on the train. We were 
ushered into a large lobby filled with a 

41 



promiscuous gathering of officers, corpor- 
als, sergeants, civilians and spittoons. 
The last mentioned articles deserve hon- 
orable mention from the immensity of 
their size! I had a vague uneasiness lest 
in my sleepy condition I should fall head 
first into one of them! They were of 
brass, highly polished, and were as large 
as a small sized family washtub. By dint 
of a long and forceful argument, by our 
spokesman (we four in the meanwhile 
fearing lest we were going to be compelled 
to spend the night on the street) for the 
hotel was so crowded, were finally given 
four cots which were to be placed in the 
Italian Ballroom. Thanking the soldier 
who had brought us hither, and so valiant- 
ly fought for our night^s lodging, we piled 
into the elevator and were whisked up to 
our very (slick underfoot) but much be- 
draped boudoir for our first night's repose 
under southern skies. Tired as we were 
and travel stained and weary, we each 
treated ourselves to the luxury of a tub, 
and though we may not say we were wel- 
comed by drums beating, we slept with 
the colors flying above us, and the stars 
and stripes of Old Glory doing guard duty 
over our couches. 



42 




CHAPTER V 

A Wet Reception 

lEELING ourselves an Army 
squad already, we were up at 
reveille the next morning, and 
making as elaborate a toilet 
as the place permitted, has- 
tened to the lower floor, lest a reception 
committee from the Base Hospital be 
awaiting us there. But no one having 
been here, we made ourselves as comfort- 
able as possible in the ladies waiting room, 
until odors of bacon and coffee drew us to 
the dining room in quest of some break- 
fast. Afterward a long wait in the parlor 
upstairs writing letters and cards to folks 
at home, watching the clock and occasion- 
ally peeping over the mezzanine railing in 
the direction of the office downstairs, or 
watching the door leading to the hotel en- 
trance, and otherwise on the alert for 
signs of any promising looking individual 
coming for us. But it was beginning to 
look as though they had forgotten all 
about us, until long past noon upon inquir- 

4:^ 



ing at the office we learned that someone 
had called for four nurses in the morning, 
and we, having neglected to register as 
nurses the night before, the clerk did not 
know that we were the four nurses in 
question, and consequently told them that 
there was no such party here ! Now here 
was a quandary. And not being familiar 
enough at that time with Army Hospital 
Rules to know whether or not we should 
all be shot at sunrise, we spent an uncom- 
fortable hour following, nevertheless keep- 
ing our nerve, we bravely telephoned the 
hospital again, therewith obtaining the 
comforting information that there would 
be a conveyance at the hotel for us about 
four p. m. We amused ourselves by 
watching delegates of a Bed Cross State 
Convention, which was being held in our 
bower of the night before, at this hotel. 
That it was an interesting sight to we 
four who had never before had the oppor- 
tunity of studying a congregation of 
southern people, goes without saying. 
The characteristic accent, the slow drawl 
and peculiar inflection of the southern 
voice, was altogether novel and fascinat- 
ing. They all wore the little white button 
with red cross in the center, emblem of 
one of the most noble fraternities that 
ever existed. 

44 



As a party of three ladies passed our 
chairs, I was attracted by one in the party 
who stopped and unceremoniously gazed 
at me, not looking at my face, but as it 
appeared my person. I wondered if some- 
thing was out of plumb, and questioned 
my companions, to learn that as far as 
they could see I was all right. After a 
few moments this same woman coming 
back thru the room, came toward my 
chair. She was dressed rather conspic- 
uously in a loud toned silk, with many 
decorations in the way of earrings and 
jewelry of various pieces. Her color was 
too vivid to be natural, and it was plain 
to be seen that she was a woman of fash- 
ion. She addressed me with these words: 
"Pahdon me, but may I ask wheah you got 
youh pin?" I am afraid I stared at her 
rather impolitely for a second, not just 
getting her meaning. Then motioning to- 
ward my Red Cross badge she resumed: 
"Youah pin is so different from the otha's, 
and I like it so much, I should like to get 
one like it." "Oh! yes, my pin," I stam- 
mered. Then it dawned upon me that she 
had taken me for a delegate also, and ad- 
miring the pin I wore decided she would 
have one like it, learning where I had pur- 
chased it. I did not explain to her how it 
had taken three of the longest years of 

45 



my life, likewise many and various exami- 
nations, and no end of waitings and relin- 
quishments to obtain that small disc of 
gold and enamel, — but instead I laughing- 
ly remarked that I was only a nurse, and 
this was my Red Cross pin. 

"Oh! she said, I thought I had nevah 
seen any just like that," and thereupon 
she plunged into a long catechism of how 
long had we been in the work, where were 
we from, how long since we left home, 
were there many sick soldiers, and ending 
by asking how we liked the work. 

From all appearances we never were go- 
ing to have the opportunity of finding out 
the answer to her last query for ourselves, 
but I answered her in one breath by say- 
ing that we had just arrived the night be- 
fore and were awaiting our conveyance to 
the Base Hospital five miles away, which 
would be here at four to take us out. She 
wished us very good luck, was glad she 
had met us, hoped we would meet again 
and moved on toward the elevator to join 
her companions at the convention upstairs 
in the ballroom. 

It was pouring rain when at four-thirty 
the ambulance drove up to the front en- 
trance of the hotel. We loaded ourselves 
in, with suitcase and bags, and started for 

46 



the Base Hospital. There were some three 
or four nurses inside, who, having a half 
day off duty, had come in to the city to do 
a little shopping, one of whom told us that 
she had been at the camp a month, and 
this was her first trip to the city in that 
time. I do not believe anyone present 
upon that trip will ever forget it. The 
distance from town to the Base was about 
five miles over the worst roads imagin- 
able. They had been recently cut out of 
pure clay since the camp had been erected 
some few months previous, and the rain 
which had been falling steadily for three 
hours had loosened the mud to the extent 
that the statement one of the boys driv- 
ing made, was nearly correct, when he 
said that "the road hadn't any bottom to 
it." We were '"stuck" for half an hour 
in one place, and it begun to look like we 
never would get out, when by the kindly 
help of another driver and his engine, we 
begun to "move" again, and finally reach- 
ed the nurses quarters, a bedraggled, mud 
covered, tired and hungry set of travelers, 
just as the lights were being lighted. 

The poor boys who drove the car were 
drenched to the skin, and so covered with 
mud that one could never have told wheth- 
er they were white or black. 

It was about six o'clock on Friday eve, 

4V 



December 7th, when we arrived at our new 
home, were greeted warmly by our Chief, 
and ushered into a wide hall where some 
dozen or more nurses in white uniforms 
and jaunty little caps with a Red Cross 
in the front, some had on the red lined 
Army cape just as they had come off duty 
for supper, were waltzing around the room 
to the music of a small graphophone on a 
table near the wall. 

A nurse was delegated to show us to 
our particular part of this domain, that 
we might remove our wraps, and travel- 
ing down a long corridor, with rooms on 
both sides, we turned a corner, and going 
half as far again, were ushered into what 
proved to be our only refuge from the 
world at large for the next three months. 
This particular bower into which we re- 
tired in a somewhat ruinous condition out- 
wardly, I will briefly describe for the ben- 
efit of any ardent damsel whose patriotic 
fancy may have surrounded Army hospi- 
tal life with a halo of charms. It was 
more like the inside of a large new barn 
than anything I can think of. It had been 
hastily arranged to accomomdate the 
nurses who were arriving now daily, in 
fact faster than the hospital could fur- 
nish room and beds for them. The first 
nurses on the scene had availed themselves 

48 



of the single and double rooms, until they 
were all filled, so we who were arriving at 
this time, would have to make ourselves 
as comfortable as we could in the dormi- 
tories, of which there were two. These 
large rooms were well ventilated, as there 
were twelve good-sized windows on each 
side. Said windows v/ere innocently bare 
of shades, curtains, or any such useless 
folderols as yet. A few weeks later we 
were given shades which relieved us of 
the tiresome exercise of climbing up on 
chairs and pinning blanket or sheet over 
the window so that the pedestrians out- 
side may not look in upon our night cap- 
ped seclusion. As one girl aptly put it 
"we had no more privacy than a gold 
fish r 

Our beds were placed in rows, head 
against the wall, like in the wards, with 
the space of about two feet between. To 
each bed belonged a white iron frame for 
holding mosquito netting in place forming 
a sort of fly and mosquito proof cage round 
about our bed. These frames were de- 
tachable, and one could use their own 
pleasure about using them. Many and 
varied were the uses we put them to. 
Some held the weekly wash, sometimes it 
was the weekly ironing which hung from 
them until thoroughly dry, and some im- 

49 



provising damsels went so far as to create 
a bathroom by pinning sheets around the 
frames. 

One enterprising miss from Wisconsin 
stretched her trunk rope back and forth 
from head to foot of the bed and had a 
clothesline somewhat diminutive as to 
area, but from which the skirts and petti- 
coats dangled with as much dignity as if 
they had hung from a real washline. 

No male ever set foot into our sanctum, 
except the Doctor whose duty it was to 
look after us when ill, and the soldier boy 
who started the fire in the big stoves early 
in the morning. On such times everybody 
was tucked securely in their little bed 
without so much as a nose peeping out. 

Our trunks not having arrived, we could 
do nothing this first evening, but walk 
about our new habitation and observe 
what was going on about us. 

Nurses seemed to be arriving on every 
train, and it was very exciting to watch 
the new faces come and go, throughoul; 
the busy proceedings, of making room for 
the fast-arriving females who were bent 
upon securing shelter and a bed before 
they were all taken. 

I was standing under a large tree on our 
back porch, (the porch having been built 

50 



around the tree, leaving it free to rear its 
branches heavenward without let or hin- 
drance) talking with a group as we watch- 
ed the storm. The rain was coming down 
in sheets, when up the path thru the 
woods, from the railroad, emerged two 
bedraggled objects. One with a rain soak- 
ed hat in her hand, the other carrying a 
suitcase. We had been able to discern 
them by the vivid flashes of lightning. 
When they had come upon the porch, it 
proved to be a little nurse from Kentucky, 
who, instead of getting off at the city, had 
remained on, alighting at the junction 
near the camp, and but for the soldier boy 
who had come out on the same train, could 
never have found her way to our hospitable 
roof thru the rain and darkness. The 
ringing of the supper bell caused quite a 
commotion, as we repaired to the dining 
room to partake of our first meal under 
Uncle Sam's roof in our new home. There 
were no special places for each person 
until later on, and it was sort of a snatch 
and grab affair, until every one was seat- 
ed. The three tables wer6 long enough to 
seat about fifty persons at each. Our seats 
were wooden benches. No cloth adorned 
our festive board, but the supper that 
evening, eaten from a table of bare boards, 
from off quaint granite plates, tasted as 

51 



good to us as any meal I had ever eaten 
before, or have eaten since. 

We had hot cornbread, butter, salmon 
croquettes, peas, coffee, and stewed 
prunes. 

Later we had white oil-cloth to cover 
the boards of the table, but to the day we 
left we drank from granite mugs, and ate 
from granite plates, which was of course 
all very well for an Army camp hospital. 

Months later when eating from Havi- 
land china spread upon a snowy linen 
cloth, in the grand dining-room of the 
Government hospital at Washington, I felt 
a keen loss and wished for our little old 
granite plates and cups and pioneer ways 
of the camp hospital once more. The 
hours of this first evening at camp flew by 
rapidly, with so many strange faces to 
study, conversation with girls from every 
nook and corner of our land it seemed, for 
though there were only some forty nurses 
here at this time, I believe as many states 
were represented. In only one or two in- 
stances were there more than one from a 
state. 

In conversation with the Chief Nurse a 
few days later, I learned that upon her 
arrival here just one month previous to 
this, there were no women foljfs, except 
the six nurses who had accompanied her. 

52 



Finding the hospital containing upwards 
of six hundred patients, she had imme- 
diately wired to Washington, requesting 
them to send more nurses down here at 
once. She found it necessary to send wire 
after wire before help came, but at last 
the nurses began to pour in upon them, at 
the rate of ten and twelve a day until the 
housing proposition began to look alarm- 
ing. We four nurses had landed upon the 
scene among the first of this avalanche, 
so had the unique and absorbing exper- 
ience of seeing them "blow in" and be 
tucked away somewhere. 

When Miss Sheets from Kansas, Miss 
Blessing from Iowa, and Miss Comfort 
from Oklahoma, all came in a body, the 
Chief laughingly greeted them with the 
words "come right in, we are so badly in 
need of all three of you!" 

Each day saw our beds shoved closer to- 
gether to make room for others, till at last 
there was scarcely room enough to permit 
our bodies to pass between them. 

Our dressers, one for two persons, 
sometimes had to do for three, were plac- 
ed back to back, thru the center of the 
room, with just enough room to squeeze 
thru between them, as we passed from one 
side of the room to a neighbor on the 
other side. 

53 



The two by four planks sticking out 
upon the walls disclosed wonderful possi- 
bilities in the way of shelves for ink bot- 
tles, brush and comb, medicine bottles, 
boxes of salve, shoe polish, and powder 
and puff boxes. For girls are girls, be 
they society belles or nursing spinsters, 
and I suppose if relegated to some unin- 
habited island away where no one would 
ever lay eyes upon them would still be 
known to powder their noses. 

It was very interesting to listen to the 
girls who were here first, recount upon 
their foregoing experiences. It seemed 
that before their arrival the sick men had 
been attended by men alone. Boys in the 
hospital corps. Young, some not over six- 
teen, inexperienced, having had no pre- 
vious training before coming into the 
Army. We could only conjecture the state 
of affairs they must have found. After a 
whole month, there was still one nurse at- 
tending two wards containing thirty and 
forty sick men, in many cases. And on 
night duty one nurse was expected to look 
after four or five wards, each of which 
contained not less than thirty patients. 



54 




CHAPTER VI 

Enthusiasm Aroused 

HESE overworked nurses were 
very glad indeed that we had 
come to help them out, and 
upon listening to their ac- 
count of the pathetic condi- 
tion in some of the wards, created in us 
such enthusiasm and anxious desire to be- 
gin to do what we could for them, that we 
could hardly wait for the morrow to dawn, 
that we might go on duty and lend our 
hands at relieving the tired nurses, as well 
as to bring what comfort and cheer we 
may to the sick soldiers. 

I am free to confess that about ten p. m. 
that same evening, I began to have a real- 
izing sense of the fact that my hospital 
bed was not going to be a bed of roses. 
For tired out and sleepy tho I was from 
being up late the night before, in fact I 
doubt if any girl there had had a com- 
fortable night's repose since leaving home, 
I must say that the prospect of sleep amid 
that chaldron of buzzing tongues, wildly 

55 



rushing to and fro of female forms, and 
as time passed on, regardless of the late- 
ness of the hour, brightly burning lights 
shining in one's face, looked discouraging. 
If, in fact, one undertook to appropriate 
one's own bed, would have to dislodge and 
cast aside some three or four energetic 
nurses who had turned one's couch into a 
knitting fraternity, over which bright 
hued balls of worsted were rolling helter 
skelter, even to the bed next door. 

Alas ! they were not busily engaged like 
our faithful grandmothers at home, in 
knitting socks and sweaters for the boys 
in the trenches, but were weaving togeth- 
er bright strands of yarn into all sorts of 
freakish sweaters to adorn their own per- 
sons, for it could never be said of those 
light weight, sleeveless affairs that they 
were things of comfort should the thermo- 
meter drop to a freezing point. 

I soon got over any foibles I may have 
entertained concerning a quiet room and 
total darkness as being necessary to insure 
sound sleep, and after routing the knitters 
I piled myself down expecting the turmoil 
to keep me awake half the night, but sleep 
got the better of me to such an extent 
that my stockings hanging at the foot of 
my bed appeared to gape and my hat nod- 
ded on its peg before I gave in. 

56 



There were many new arrivals that 
evening. They seemed to be coming in 
at all hours. 

I recall being awakened sometime along 
in the early hours of the morning, by 
someone tiptoeing around the bed next to 
mine, and imagining I am at home and 
this a burglar, I raised on my elbow and 
before clearly awake screamed : "who goes 
there and what do you want?" A tired 
voice answered: "Only a weary nurse 
from California, who asks nothing more 
of heaven or earth than to crawl into this 
bed next you and fall asleep, whether to 
wake again till the judgment day matters 
little just now!" 

I found myself sleepily welcoming her 
to our happy home, having preceded her 
by a few hours, as I tho't, poor thing hav- 
ing traveled so far she must be dead tired, 
before falling back to sleep. I have spoken 
of it being so warm upon our arrival. Be- 
fore twelve hours had elapsed, we nurses 
almost perished with cold. The rain turn- 
ed to sleet, and before the following morn- 
ing there was a cold, raw, penetrating 
wind, the like of which I never felt before, 
and hope to never feel again. 

Many of the nurses took to their beds 
with colds, sore throat, grippe, tonsilitis, 
and some with pneumonia, from the sud- 

57 



den change of temperature, change of cli- 
mate and exposure. There were about a 
dozen down at once those first weeks at 
the hospital. I kept as well as I ever was 
in my life, except for a frost-bitten toe 
from walking thru snow to the wards and 
from the extreme cold of the porches 
where most of our worst patients were, 
and only required plenty of letters from 
home and friends to make me as happy as 
I could be at such a distance from them all. 
Morning after morning, the water pipes 
were frozen and we would have to go on 
duty without even washing our faces. 

That first morning upon awaking, my 
first sensation was of a peculiar shivery 
feeling all over my frame. It seemed as 
though the cold was being pumped up 
from beneath our beds by a bellows, and 
the breath which left our nostrils made a 
white streak through the room. I felt 
somewhat like the contents of an ice cream 
freezer must feel, (if it has any feeling 
at all) when the crank first begins to turn. 

The chilliness seemed to grow more in- 
tense, and to penetrate even to the very 
bones. 

The building at this place had been has- 
tily erected for temporary use only, and 
the floor being at least four feet from the 
ground, gave ample room for the cold air 

58 



to rush under, and up through the boards 
of the flooring. Next day I put the small 
rug which I found at the end of my bed, 
under my mattress, next the springs, and 
wrote home for a wool blanket, which, 
after having received, I suffered no more 
with cold. 

The house had the appearance of stand- 
ing on stilts and being in the midst of a 
pine forest, my dreams were frequently 
disturbed by imagining all sorts of gigan- 
tic animals of phenomenal appearance, 
strolling at leisure about under our abode. 
Indeed a half dozen families of bear or por- 
cupine could have had quite comfortable 
quarters under there. 

It is only just to relate, however, that 
we never discovered anything more fero- 
cious than a family of pigs, but of such 
quadrupeds the woods were full. Later 
these pigs possessed no end of attraction 
for me, "never having had an opportunity 
of observing their graces of mind and 
manner till I came to Camp B — , whose 
porcine citizens appeared to enjoy a larger 
liberty than many of its human ones. 
Stout, sedate looking pigs hurried by each 
morning to their places of business, with 
a preoccupied air, and sonorous greeting 
to their friends. Genteel pigs, with an 
extra curl to their tails, promenaded in 

59 



pairs, lunching here and there, like gentle- 
men of leisure. 

Rowdy pigs pushed the passersby off 
the sidewolk, tipsy pigs hiccoughed their 
version of "we won't go home till morn- 
ing," from the gutter; and delicate young 
pigs tripped daintily through the mud, as 
if they plumed themselves upon their an- 
kles, and kept themselves particularly neat 
in point of stockings. Material pigs, with 
their interesting families, strolled by in 
the sun; and often the pink, baby-like 
spuealers lay down for a nap, with a trust 
in Providence worthy of human imitation. 

Upon this particular morning I called to 
my neighbor whose diminutive form lay 
huddled beneath the covers showing no 
signs of life, to see if she had become, 
(which required very little imagination to 
believe,) a "snow man" or woman, during 
the night, but a drowsy head poked out 
from beneath the covers and a yawn and 
very sleepy good morning showed me that 
she was alive, so I fell to rubbing the slow- 
ly congealing blood vessels of arm and 
limb energetically, with the hope per- 
chance of saving some of my members 
from the dire calamity of frostbite. 

And, before many moments, I noticed 
that almost everyone was busily engaged 
in doing likewise. It would have present- 

60 



ed a most ludicrous sight to an onlooker 
had there chanced to be one. Here were 
some twenty or thirty females clad in out- 
ing pajamas or nighty, each standing on 
top of her bed, one and all going through 
some violent physical exercise terribly in 
earnest, and totally independent of any 
rythm or unison of motion with her neigh- 
bor, but after a while each and all were 
rewarded for their strenuous exertions by 
a tingling sensation of warmth as the 
blood began circulating once more with its 
normal velocity through the veins. 

By the time the last article of apparel 
had been dawned the breakfast bell rang, 
and we hustled around to the dining room, 
swallowed a cup of a fearful beverage call- 
ed coffee, a piece of cold toast, and repair- 
ed back to the sleeping apartment again, 
don hats, coats and rubbers, for during 
the night about an inch of the coldest snow 
ever seen or heard of, had fallen over the 
ground. The stove which resembled a silo, 
and gave out about as much heat most of 
the time, had by this time begun to throw 
out hints of a warmth inside, but as we 
must be off to the wards, we had no way 
of finding out whether it was merely a hint 
and nothing more or not. 

We four nurses who had arrived togeth- 
er the evening before, sort of hung to- 

61 



gether in this vast army of strange wo- 
men folk, feeling more like old acquaint- 
ances, for as one girl put it, upon seeing 
so many white clad individuals in a body, 
that "she didn't know there was so many 
women, or white dresses in the world!" 
We walked together to the wards, a dis- 
tance of about a quarter of a mile, over 
the frozen ground and upon being shown 
to the Chief Nurse's office, which was sit- 
uated in the Officers building, were there 
dispersed, each nurse being sent to her re- 
spective ward, as the Chief saw fit. 

There were twenty-six wards here at 
that time, each one of which contained all 
the way from thirty to seventy patients. 
One, the ward for mumps and measles, 
had about eighty patients at that time. 

Upon meeting a soldier in the corridors, 
or anywhere, he would politely touch his 
hat or most military-like would salute us, 
which seemed a little odd at first, but we 
soon got used to it as to all the army ways. 

Officers, likewise, either lifted their hats 
or saluted us in passing, sometimes both! 

They were largely from the South, and 
I have heard remarkable stories of South- 
ern chivalry, and if graces in the demean- 
or, or courtliness of manner can be con- 
stituted chivalry, then the word is not a 
misnomer as applied to the Southern gen- 

62 



tleman. There seemed to be an inborn 
courteousness of nature, and protective 
instinct toward women folk, that one does 
not always find as a chief characteristic 
of the gentleman of the North. 

Perhaps after all it is the women's own 
fault, for having so much of that inde- 
pendent, self-sufficient lack of the oak and 
vine simile, predominating in so many of 
our Northern sisters, which has caused 
the lords of creation, to feel that their pro- 
tection and chivalry is not solicited, need- 
ed or wanted, therefore they treat them 
accordingly. However, I think most all 
men prefer the clinging vine type of wo- 
man and do not as a rule think it neces- 
sary to waste too much gallantry upon the 
other more sturdy variety. 

Arriving at the Chief Nurse's office, it 
took but a few moments to learn that I 
was to go to ward twenty-four. This 1 
was informed was a ward for pneumonia, 
containing some thirty or forty patients, 
and there was already one nurse on duty 
there. 

Now to find ward twenty-four was the 
next problem. But like an energetic fly in 
a very large cobweb, I struggled through 
a maze of screened-in corridors, meanwhile 
occupying my mind with frightened 
thoughts of a nurse I had heard of at camp 

63 



D — , of whom it was reported, that she 
had gotten lost in the corridors and had 
remained in total obscurity for the whole 
of one hour. There was no time to spare 
now, as it lacked but a few minutes of 
seven, that being the hour I was to be on 
duty. I met many nurses in their jaunty 
little Red Cross caps and red lined capes. 
I would not have the pleasure of wearing 
mine until the box arrived from Washing- 
ton, which Miss Alberts had sent for some 
weeks before. Said box arrived on Christ- 
mas eve, and it was another joy added to 
the general festive air, about the place, to 
be handed our army regalia which the Red 
Cross was to loan us until we left the ser- 
vice. 

The nurses each smiled, and wished me 
a good morning. Officers saluted and hur- 
ried by, sergeants, corporals and privates 
hurried by saluting as they went, and 
every one seemingly bent upon some as- 
sured destination, while I seemed to be 
wandering aimlessly about or in circles 
like "puss chasing her tail!" At last I 
grew desperate. Having tried all other 
available passages without success, I made 
a bold dash down a long corridor I had not 
seen before, dashed around a corner almost 
colliding with a fat colonel who smiled on 
top of his salute, as he dodged out of my 

64 



way, and brought up before three wards 
side-by-side bearing the numbers 23, 24 
and 25 over the doors. 

My goal was reached at last and just in 
the nick of time for the short hand of my 
watch pointed at seven. My heart beat 
faster than usual as I walked with dignity 
toward the ward in the center, wondering 
if I should be held up for a countersign, 
and forced to spend the rest of the day in 
the corridor. But marching boldly up to 
the door I found that no form was neces- 
sary. Two or three soldiers standing by 
fell back, a guard touched his cap, a sol- 
dier a little bolder than the rest opened 
the door for me, and, as I closed it behind 
me I felt that I was fairly started, and as 
an Army Nurse my mission was begun. 



65 




CHAPTER VII 

On the Field of Action 

FOUND myself in a small cor- 
ridor with some four or six 
rooms opening off the side. 
Through a door in the far 
end, I could see into a large 
room and from the number of beds it con- 
tained I judged this to be the ward proper, 
where my future immediate endeavors lay. 
The doors opening into this hall from the 
side, led into various small rooms, one of 
which was a kitchen where the meals were 
dished up into individual trays, after be- 
ing brought from the main large kitchen. 
Another was bath and wash room for corps 
men and convalescent patients, another a 
linen room where sheets, pillow cases, 
towels, blankets and pa jama suits for the 
patients were kept. Another room where 
the ward master slept when off duty, and 
another from which issued the sound of 
voices which proved upon walking to the 
door from which the sounds came, to be 
an office. Upon entering this door my 

66 



gaze took in the occupants at a glance. 
Several soldiers sat about upon chairs hav- 
ing gone through the slight preliminary 
examination necessary (before being given 
a bed) of having temperature, pulse and 
respiration recorded upon the chart. A 
nurse was standing near a table or desk, 
in front of which sat a stoutly-built offi- 
cer. Nobody present looked as though 
they would have been any worse off had I 
been doomed to wander indefinitely in the 
corridor outside and had failed to put in 
niy appearance at that particular moment, 
unless perchance it may be the dejected 
looking objects sitting about on chairs, 
might have been better off had some one 
gotten them put to bed quite a bit earlier. 
Those at the desk seemed to be chatting 
and laughing, as though sickness was a 
thing unheard of, the war was a myth, 
and there never had existed any such a 
being as the Kaiser, and the gentleman at 
the desk had the air and appearance of 
having no heavier burden upon his should- 
ers than the inspection of the nurses' 
pretty, well manicured hands. 

The office into which I had so bluntly 
made my entrance was small, being about 
eight by ten feet square. 

There was a window at one side through 

67 



which could be seen ward 23 about twenty 
feet away. 

A small coal stove stood in the center 
of the room, while a small table made from 
a box by some improvising individual, 
adorned one corner, above which hung a 
small mirror. A chair or two and the of- 
ficers desk, which was strewn with various 
charts and sheets of paper, with which 
he evidently had some intention of oc- 
cupying his mind some time, and an elec- 
tric globe directly over the desk, was all 
in the way of furniture or fixtures the 
room contained. Upon thirty or forty 
pegs on the wall back of the desk hung 
loose sheets which later proved to be the 
individual charts of the sick men inside 
the ward, and as I became more immersed 
in army hospital affairs, I came to feel that 
said charts to all appearances were of vast- 
ly more importance than the man himself. 
Let one page get misplaced and directly 
the whole ward, if not the entire hospital 
at large, became a seething bedlam of 
pandemonium until such page was safely 
restored once more to its proper peg upon 
the wall. 

One could, by glancing through these 
precious documents, find out at a mo- 
ment's notice, patient's name, where bom, 
age, color and nationality, religion, if he 

68 



had any, married or single, or anything 
else one felt at all curious to know, even, I 
suspect to how many freckles he had on 
his face, or as to what kind of a dog he 
liked best ! 

This wonderful record was there to show 
whomsoever it may concern, that John 
Jones had gone through all those juvenile 
ailments like whooping cough, chickenpox, 
and croup, and a list of all the other mala- 
dies by which John Jones had been assail- 
ed throughout his whole life, from the day 
he was born up until now, were likewise 
down in black and white, that all who "ran 
might read." 

Upon my entrance the Lieutenant arose, 
the nurse came toward me smiling, with 
extended hands, and the words, "Fm so 
glad youVe come for we sure do need more 
nurses here," and asking my name intro- 
duced me to Lieutenant Roberts, who was 
the doctor in charge of this ward. The 
nurse, Miss Sailor, had arrived on duty 
only the day before, as she explained to 
me in our walk through the ward, which 
was to say the least, a somewhat embar- 
rassing experience, with some forty odd 
pairs of eyes turned in our direction, while 
one mischievous fellow begun singing, "I 
don't want to get well." 

I thought as we passed along, especially 

69 



the porches, where the most critically ill 
boys were, that it presented a most sorry 
looking sight, for two women with the aid 
of perhaps two or three assistants to make 
much headway toward the recovery of so 
many sick men. 

It was supposed to be a ward for pneu- 
monia only, but for some cause in sorting 
them out, there had leaked in among the 
others, cases of tonsilitis, bronchitis, neph- 
ritis, jaundice, osteomelitis, and a few pa- 
tients isolated upon the back porch, who 
were diagnosed as "meningitis suspects." 
These last, however, proved to be nothing 
worse than a mild case of grippe, or bil- 
liousness, and after a few judiciously ad- 
ministered doses of physic, by the nurse, 
"upon her own hook," which saved the 
lucky fellow a visit to that place of hor- 
rors, "the meningitis ward," brought them 
about all right, so that after a few days 
they were able to be sent back to camp. 

By the time we had made the round of 
the ward, I had arrived at the conclusion 
that had some ten or a dozen nurses ar- 
rived upon this scene a month before, 
everything would now have a far different 
appearance. At it was, the one nurse upon 
the field being overwhelmed by the magni- 
tude of the job before her, had simply not 
been able to do anything. I was glad, how- 

70 



ever, that someone had preceded me here, 
for had I been called upon to be the head 
and executive body, to preside over such a 
motely collection of sick humanity, I fear I 
should have been considerably more non- 
plussed than this woman seemed to be. 

She was a little "roly poly" fat nurse 
from somewhere in the middle West, who 
took all things in a philosophical manner, 
rather inclined to make merry over the 
most woeful circumstances, rather given 
to make believe that she herself was lack- 
ing in ability and knowledge of running a 
hospital ward, in fact she had the air of 
believing everything a joke, from the 
shock headed boy known as Alphonse in 
the kitchen, to the grouchy much-disliked- 
by-all, hard-hearted Major who made the 
rounds of weekly inspection of the wards 
and scared everybody out of a year's nor- 
mal growth. 

In reality she was a sweet, cheery wo- 
man, a splendid nurse, and a good man- 
ager, and we got on famously caring for 
our big family of sick boys, until sickness 
took her from our ward for several weeks, 
and the somewhat abrupt plunge into the 
superintendence of a ward containing 
forty beds, kept the shining hours filled 
with washing faces, serving rations, giv- 
ing medicine, sitting in a very hard chair, 

71 



with pneumonia on one side, diphtheria on 
the other, two typhoids opposite and a 
dozen dilapidated patriots limping, lying, 
and lounging about, all staring more or 
less at the new *'Nuss," who suffered un- 
told agonies but concealed them under as 
matronly an aspect as a spinster could as- 
sume, and blundered through her trying 
labors with a Spartan firmness, which I 
hope they appreciated, but am afraid they 
didn't. 

Having a taste for surgical work, I had 
rather wished to have been placed in a 
ward of that kind, for rheumatism wasn't 
heroic or exciting, neither liver complaint 
or dropsy, even fever had lost its charms 
since "bathing burning brows" had been 
used up in romances, real and ideal. But 
later my experiences in surgical wards, es- 
pecially one exclusively for empyema, 
where the air was permeated with the dis- 
agreeable odor accompanying a large num- 
ber of cases of this kind if thrown to- 
gether, caused me to wish I were back 
again with my various assortment of dis- 
eases, be they ever so uninteresting. 

I found that things the dullest and most 
repulsive, steadily pursued, gradually in 
spite of one's self become interesting, in a 
certain way, chiefly from the satisfaction 
which follows the effort to bring comfort 

72 



and cheer to others. For in seeking oth- 
ers good, we find our own! 

The daily contact with weakness and 
suffering, and saddening scenes of death, 
gave ample opportunity of studying hu- 
man nature in all its various phases. But 
withal the strangeness of this new life, I 
liked it, and found many things to amuse, 
instruct and interest me. 

As we ended our rounds Miss Sailor re- 
marked that she guessed we had better 
commence washing the men's faces as 
some of them she didn't suppose had been 
treated to such a luxury for weeks. And 
the regiment of vile odors which always 
accompany sickness where there is fever, 
if not properly bathed and cared for, which 
assaulted our noses and took them by 
storm, while passing thro' 'the ward, 
made her words seem very credible. 

The beds were all filled with sick men, 
some of whom were in a critical condition. 
And, as yet, nothing was being done for 
their comfort or cleanliness except what 
the few corps boys could do, who up to 
this time had done the best they knew 
how, in caring for them, under the doctors 
orders, gave their medicine, passed plates 
of food, thrice daily, gathered them up 
again, and if the contents of plate or cup 
had not been touched, it was too busy a 

73 



time to notice a little thing like that. "I 
can't be worried" or *"I can't be bothered" 
were expressions one heard on all sides. 

Another phrase popular among the at- 
tendants which came as near causing me 
to lose my christian equilibrium as any- 
thing I had to contend with, was, "You're 
in the army now." 

When one felt it in their heart to act 
with a bit of human principle, or lend their 
weight of influence in untangling some 
knotty problem for the betterment of all 
concerned, or to straighten up or prevent 
some unreasonable injustice, they were 
apt to be set down as unmilitary and too 
"chicken hearted," and be met with the 
abominable expression, "you're in the 
army now." And some individuals of the 
same calibre, I fear found that phrase a 
valuable rod to lean upon, and aid in shirk- 
ing responsibility, as though to be in the 
army, excused one from carrying on their 
affairs with the same conscientious effort 
one would apply to them anywhere else. 
The very fact of our being here placed 
added responsibility upon our shoulders, 
and a duty to overcome in so far as we 
could, the hardness, unreasonableness and 
laxity of army life. For it is true that in 
some of the wards the circumlocution 
fashion prevailed, forms and fusses tor- 

74 



merited our souls and unnecessary strict- 
ness in one place was counterbalanced by 
unpardonable laxity in another. 

Round the great stove in the center of 
the room, was gathered the dreariest 
group I had ever seen. Some had just ar- 
rived in the ambulance from the camp, and 
for these a bed had not as yet been ar- 
ranged. Others had convalesced to the 
stage where they were permitted to sit up 
and it being too cold near their beds were 
hovering about the stove. Gaunt and pale, 
hollow-eyed, showing in their faces partly 
covered with beard, the ravages of weeks 
of sickness, but trying to wear a cheerful 
look. 

I pitied them so much I dared not speak 
to them, though reading in their faces, all 
they must have been through since leaving 
their homes, and I yearned to serve the 
dreariest of them all. 

Presently Miss Sailor darted inside a 
door, and emerged from it again bearing 
a basin of water in her hands. Coming 
toward me, put basin, towel, washcloth 
and a block of soap in my hands with these 
appalling directions. "Now we will begin 
to wash the men's faces as fast as we can. 
You take one side of the ward and I will 
take the other." 

And the sight of the many beds with 

75 



their uncomfortable occupants also admon- 
ished me that I was there to work, not to 
wonder or weep; so I corked up my feel- 
ings, and returned to the path of duty, 
which was rather a most bewildering 
"road to travel" just then. Notwithstand- 
ing my four years of nursing experience, 
I will admit that I was somewhat stagger- 
ed at the prospect of having to scrub one- 
half of the whole masculine population of 
the South, as it appeared, in a body. If 
she had requested me to shave them all, 
or do a "highland fling" on the top of the 
stovepipe, I doubt if I had been any more 
flabbergasted. To have to scrub some 
twenty lords of creation, at a moment's 
notice was, really — ^really — however there 
was no time for nonsense, and having re- 
solved when I came to do everything I 
was bid, like Nurse Pemberton, "I drown- 
ed my scruples in my wash bowl, clutched 
my soap manfully and assuming a busi- 
ness-like and professional air, I valiantly 
fell to upon if not the whole Southern 
army, what at that moment looked to me 
to be a goodly portion of it. 

In making a dab at the flrst dirty speci- 
men, I saw I happened to light on a with- 
ered Frenchman from New Orleans, who 
being too old to cross the water and join 
his countrymen, had volunteered to enlist 

76 



with the boys here. The premature burst- 
ing of a hand grenade had removed most 
of the fingers from his right hand and 
placed several injuries about his head and 
face, the bandages of which caused that 
portion of his anatomy to be tastefully 
laid out like a minature garden, said ban- 
dages being the walks and his beard the 
shrubbery. He was so overpowered at the 
honor of having a lady ''wash him" as he 
expressed it, that he did nothing but roll 
his eyes and call down blessings upon my 
head in an irresistable style which was too 
much for my sense of the ludicrous, so we 
laughed together and when I came to his 
feet, he stoutly remonstrated in both 
French and English, but I understood 
enough to appreciate the fact that he 
would never stand it to have the petite 
lady touch them dirty creatures. But in 
spite of his remonstrances, I plunked both 
feet into the bowl and scrubbed away like 
any tidy parent on a Saturday night, until 
I had him all done up "spick and span" as 
a smiling infant. "Je voo remair see Mam 
oi selle, and may the Saints guard round 
ye for the day's work ye be doin" was Ms 
parting sally, as I passed on to the next. 

Some of them took the performance like 
sleepy children, leaning their tired heads 
against me as I worked, others looked 

77 



grimly scandalized, and some of the rough- 
est looking, colored like bashful girls. One 
wore a soiled little bag on a string about 
his neck, and as I removed it to bathe his 
neck, I said "Your talisman did not save 
you from getting the grippe did it?" 

"Well I reckon it helped mar'm foh may- 
haps I might now be daid, if it hadn't been 
foh old mammy's camphoh bag and I am 
still livin as you see," answered this cheer- 
ful philosopher. 

Another, with a boil on his cheek, asked 
for a looking-glass, and when I had 
brought one, regarded his swollen face 
with a dolorous expression as he muttered, 
"I'll be blowd if that ain't too bad! I 
war'nt a bad lookin guy befoh, but that 
blamed carbuncle is goin to leave a scah 
that'll finish me." 

"What on earth will Rose Pike say?" 

He looked up at me with his one remain- 
ing eye so appealing, that I controlled my 
rising mirth with difficulty, and assured 
him that if Rose was a girl of sense, she 
would not mind the scar, even if it was not 
caused by shrapnel or gunshot, for it was 
from affliction suffered while away doing 
his duty like a man, and soldier, preparing 
to go to scenes which might necessitate 
his bringing back far worse scars. When 

78 



1 told him that all women thought a wound 
the best decoration a brave soldier can 
wear, his trouble seemed allayed for the 
time and I hope Miss Pike proved that the 
good opinion I had rashly expressed of her, 
was not over-estimated. 



79 



CHAPTER VIII 
A Remarkable Transformation 




lY next scrubbee, was a fair- 
haired, nice looking lad, with 
honest blue eyes, and what I 
judged when not drawn by 
pain and illness, to be a merry 
mouth. He was so young, not over six- 
teen, he lay on his bed so wan, and pale, 
and emaciated, that when a drop or two 
of salt water mingled with my suds at 
sight of this mere babe in such a piteous 
condition, the boy looked up with a brave 
smile. He had just that morning come in 
the ambulance, over the rough road from 
the camp field hospital, and after a long 
siege of fever, ague, and chills, had been 
pronounced able to be moved in to the 
Base Hospital, where it was hoped he 
would receive better care than the men at 
the camp were able to give him. The trip 
had proved almost too much for his frail 
strength, for he looked a total wreck. 
There was a little quiver of the lips as he 
said, "Now don't you fret youah self 

80 



about me Miss, Fm first rate heah for its 
*pie' to lie still on this bed aftah knockin' 
about in that confounded ambulance that 
shakes what there is left of a fellow to 
jelly/' I nevah was in one of these places 
befoh and I think this cleanin' up a jolly- 
good thing foah us fellows, though Fm 
afraid it isn't foah you ladies." 

"I expect you ran away to join the 
army," I said smiling as I contemplated 
his youthful face while I washed his 
hands. He wore a sheepish look as he 
answered. **That I did Miss and if I had 
minded my Mamma I nevah would be 
heah now." 

His mother a widow had three sons 
older than he, all in the army, and this, 
her baby, had four years before him ere 
he would be old enough to enlist. 

I asked him if he didn't think he could 
go back to his mother when he was well 
enough, and wait until he was old enough 
to enroll in the army. He said that "while 
lying sick in the field hospital with so 
much time to think, he had decided it was 
his duty to stay at home and look after his 
mother, while his brothers were away and 
that if he ever got well, he was going to 
try to get out of "this man's ahmy." 

To hear one so young talking of life and 

81 



duty in such a sage and philosophical 
manner would have appeared comical, had 
it not been so pathetic, so I assured him 
that I was very glad he had come to such 
a decision, for I believed it to be a very 
wise plan. 

Some months later I learned that his 
uncle, being the Captain of his company, 
had been able to procure his release from 
the army and he had gone home to his 
mother. 

I say Mrs. called a voice half way down 
the ward, and when I came within speak- 
ing distance, a rough fellow from Arkan- 
sas, with large blisters covering his lips, 
testifying mutely to the intense fever he 
must have passed through, motioned me 
to come closer and as I did so, to learn 
what he wanted, he whispered ruefully : 

"That next fellow you'll be comin to, 
that red-headed devil up yondah is a pro- 
German!" "Hang him!" "He'd nevah 
joined if he could a got out of it." "But 
he had to, or go back to his own country 
and fight." "And he held back as long as 
he could, I know him the good f oh nothin 
whelp." 

"He's got the chickenpox, and its a 
blasted shame to fetch him in heah along 
side of us fellows, and so Fll tell the chap 
that bosses this place, drat me if I don't !" 

82 



"Don't you wash him, noh feed him, but 
just let him hollah till he's tiahed." 

I regret to say that I did not deliver a 
moral sermon upon the duty of forgiving 
our enemies, and the sin of profanity, then 
and there, but being an American to the 
roots of my hair, stared fixedly at the fat 
rebel, who it seemed was a copperhead in 
every sense of the word, and I am afraid I 
privately resolved to put soap in his eyes, 
rub his nose the wrong way, and excor- 
iate his cuticle generally, had I the wash- 
ing of him. My unamiable intentions 
were frustrated, however, for when I ap- 
proached his bed with as christian an ex- 
pression as my principles would allow, and 
asked the question: ''Shall I try to make 
you more comfortable sir?" he answered 
gruffy, ''No, I'll do it myself." "Here's 
your Southern chivalry with a vengeance" 
thought I, dumping the basin down before 
him, thereby quenching a strong desire to 
give him a summary baptism in return for 
his ungraciousness. This fellow was a 
disappointment in all respects, for he was 
neither pathetic, sick, sad, or savage, but 
a big fat stolid Dutchman with a head like 
a burning bush, and a perfectly express- 
ionless face so I could ignore his existence, 
without the slightest drawback. One re- 
deeming trait he certainly did possess, as 

83 



the floor speedily testified; for his ablu- 
tions were so vigorously performed, that 
his bed soon stood like an isolated island in 
a sea of soap suds, and he resembled a 
dripping merman, suffering the loss of a 
fin. If cleanliness is next to godliness, 
then was the big German the godliest man 
in our ward that day. 

One tall, thin fellow declared he knew 
the millenium had arrived, for the fellows 
were getting their faces washed. *'Said 
he had offered a fellow who was walking 
around, a half dollar to get him a basin of 
water a few days ago, and not being suc- 
cessful, had decided that when a fellah's 
sick enough to die, it don't make much dif- 
ference whether he dies clean or dirty." 
"No, Baily, I said, it makes little differ- 
ence to our Father in Heaven, what state 
our bodies are in, so our hearts are clean 
when we come to die. He looked thought- 
ful a moment, then said, "Well now, I 
nevah thought of that befo, and I reckon 
a fellah can keep his haht clean if he does 
have to lay heah in a duhty bed all sweaty 
and covahed with scabs." 

Upon my recounting the story of Laza- 
rus as I scrubbed away very gently, for his 
body had been covered with large ulcers it 
seemed, from the many scabs, he seemed 

84 



to take heart and a great deal of comfort 
in the fact that he could at least keep his 
heart clean, whatever befell his body here- 
after. 

Our human wash all done up and laid 
out to dry, as it were, the second syllable 
of our version of the word war-fare, was 
enacted with much success. Great trays 
containing soup, bread and meat, and cof- 
fee, appeared, and both nurses and attend- 
ants turned waiters, serving bountiful ra- 
tions to all who could eat. I fear that in 
the rush my dr^ss became a preambulat- 
ing bill-of-fare, exhibiting samples of all 
the refreshments going. It was a lively 
scene. The long room with rows of beds 
down each side, while on the porch outside 
were the worst cases of pneumonia pa- 
tients, so as to get all the air they could, 
too sick to talk or eat. The process of 
cleaning up here had been limited to bath- 
ing faces and hands, and placing ice caps 
to fevered heads. "But the beds all filled 
by an occupant whom water, shears and 
clean raiment had transformed from a 
dreary ragamuffin into a recumbent hand- 
some hero, with a cropped head. To and 
fro rushed we two nurses, corps boys and 
convalescent boys, "skirmishing with 
knives and forks," retreating with empty 
plates, while the clashing of busy spoons 

85 



made most inspiring music for the charge 
of our ''Light Brigade." 

' 'Patients in front of them, 
Patients to right of them, 
Patients to left of them, 
Nobody blundered. 

Screamed at with brimming bowls, 
Beamed at by hungry souls. 
Steamed at by Army rolls. 
Buttered and sundered 
With coffee not cannon plied 
Each must be satisfied 
Whether they lived or died. 
All the men wondered." 

Curious contrasts of the comic and 
tragic met one everywhere, and some 
touching as well as ludicrous episodes 
might have been recorded that day, as 
well as all the succeeding days, but I sup- 
pose the events of that first day would 
naturally recur to one's memory more 
promptly than events which followed. A 
small Italian boy, beckoned me to his aid, 
and in broken English conveyed the infor- 
mation to my mind, that if I would help 
him "sit up" as he termed placing a rest 
back of him, he might be able to eat his 
soup, with which his bed and beard were 
getting plentifully anointed. He explain- 

86 



ed that to sit up without anything behind 
him made him very "deezy." 

I saw him safely in a reclining position 
before leaving him, and went to the porch 
where my attention had been attracted by 
a boy, who was restlessly tossing about 
upon his bed. Observing that his food 
was untouched, I offered to assist him as I 
had the man I had just left. But he only 
shook his head, "Id like a drink of water 
please ma*am if you ain't too busy." I 
rushed away, but the water was shut off 
for some cause and none drawn in pail or 
pan, so I hastened to the next ward to see 
if by any chance there was any to be had 
there. But finding no better success, I 
hastened back to the ward and was glad- 
dened to find the water on again. I hur- 
ried with a cup full back to him. He seem- 
ed to be asleep, but something in the tired 
white face, caused me to listen for his 
breath, but none came, his forehead was 
cold. Then I knew that while he waited, 
a better nurse than I, had given him 'a 
cooler draught, and healed him with a 
touch. I laid the sheet over the quiet 
sleeper, whom no noise could now disturb, 
and half an hour later the bed was empty. 
That hospital bed was lonely even in a 
crowd. For there was no familiar face to 
look his last upon, no friendly voice to say 

87 



good bye; no hand to lead him gently down 
into the "Valley of the Shadow," and he 
vanished like a drop in the sea upon whose 
shores so many women stand lamenting. 
Yet can we say no hand was laid on his at 
that time when we are told that, "not 
without God's will, e'en a sparrow can 
fall?" I think not. I should have felt bit- 
terly indigant at this seeming carelessness 
of the value of life, had I not possessed 
great confidence in the words of our Lord 
and Master, that "the hairs of your head 
are numbered," and "ye are of more value 
than many sparrows." 

The doctor having made his rounds, 
medicine administered, temperatures 
taken, the afternoon wore away, and at 
five o'clock the kitchen boy who was 
known as the K. P. announced supper. 
The Corps boys flew, not to arms, but to 
their trays. The dozing patients awoke at 
the noise and commotion, and I presently 
discovered that it took a very severe on- 
slaught of illness to incapacitate the boys 
for the consumption of their rations. 



88 




CHAPTER IX 
Reminiscences 

iHE succeeding days were to 
some extent a repetition of 
the first. I am thankful to 
say that there were no more 
deaths in our ward for many 
weeks. 

The men all having had their first good 
cleaning up in several weeks, by the end of 
the first week each and every mother's 
son had undergone a complete transforma- 
tion. And having gotten the bodies of our 
boys into something like "ship shape" or- 
der, the task for the remaining days after 
the morning's tidying up was finished, was 
to minister to their minds, by writing let- 
ters to the anxious souls at home, answer- 
ing questions, reading papers, or doing any 
task that might add to the comfort or en- 
joyment of the homesick lads we had 
under our care. 

Upon entrance to the ward, each boy 
gave his money and valuables into the 
hands of the ward master to turn over to 

89 



the Lieutenant for safe keeping. Pocket- 
books, purses, miniatures and watches, 
were sealed up, labeled and handed over 
to the doctor, till such time as the owners 
thereof were ready to depart homeward 
or campward again. 

One of the lively episodes of hospital life 
is the frequent marching away of such as 
are well enough to rejoin their regiments, 
or betake themselves to some convalescent 
camp. 

The ward master comes to the door of 
each room that is to be thinned, reads off 
a list of names, bids their owner^s look 
sharp and be ready when called for; and, 
as he vanishes, the room falls into an in- 
describable state of topsy-turveyness, as 
the boys begin to polish their shoes, brush 
clothes, overhaul knapsacks, make pres- 
ents, are fitted out with needfuls, and — 
well, why not ? kissed sometimes, as they 
say good bye ; for in all human probability 
we shall never meet again and a woman's 
heart yearns over anything that has clung 
to her for help and comfort. 

I never liked these breakings-up of our 
little household, though my stay at tTie 
camp, and hospital at Washington showed 
me several of them. I was immensely 
gratified by the handshakes I got, for 

90 



their somewhat painful cordiality assured 
me that I had not tried in vain. 

The withered Frenchman mumbled out 
his unintelligible adieux with a grateful 
face and a premonitory smooth of his 
stubby mustache, but he got no farther, 
for some one else stepped up, with a large 
brown hand extended, and this recommen- 
dation for our faulty establishment: — 
"We're off. Ma'am, and I'm powerful sorry, 
for I'd no idea a orspitle was such a jolly 
place." "Sorry I can't get somethin' to 
bring me back to be took care of again; 
mean, ain't it?" 

The doctrine of inglorious ease was not 
the right one to preach up, so I tried to 
look shocked, failed signally and consoled 
myself by giving him one of the little 
"housewives" the Red Cross workers had 
left for all who were leaving that day. 

They fell into line in front of the ward, 
looking rather wan and feeble, some of 
them, but trying to step out smartly, and 
march in good order, though several lean- 
ed on sticks, instead of shouldering guns. 

All looked up and smiled, or waved their 
hands, and touched their hats as they 
passed by the window, and so away. Some 
to their homes in this world, and some to 
that in the next; and for the rest of the 
day, I felt like Rachel mourning for her 

91 



children, when I saw the empty beds, and 
missed the familiar faces. 

It was never exactly my intention to lec- 
ture to the boys, yet there were times, 
while busy about the ward duties, when it 
seemed profitable as well as agreeable, to 
speak a word in defense of the faith in 
Jesus, which is only the plain duty of any- 
one who considers himself a Christian. 
And as the great Apostle said "is our rea- 
sonable service." 

I found on such occasions that the boys 
listened to such words respectfully and 
even eagerly. And on several occasions, 
as the one I have just described, when a 
body of them were leaving the ward, sev- 
eral informed me, with all sincerity that 
they were glad I talked to them in this 
manner, and would always remember my 
words to them. 

The letters dictated to us in those days, 
were both interesting and comic, as well 
as pathetic. Full of affection, pluck and 
errors of speech, but nearly all giving live- 
ly accounts of life at the hospital, ending 
usually "with a somewhat sudden plunge 
from patriotism to provender, desirmg 
"Marm," "Aunt Emmie," or "Caroline" to 
send along some cookies, pickles, or apples, 
to "your'n" in haste, "Hal," "Tom" or 
"Jake," as the case might be. 

92 



The evening meal was followed by wash- 
ing feverish faces, smoothing tumbled 
beds, beating up flattened pillows, and gen- 
eral preparations for the night. By seven, 
the last labor of love was done, the last 
**good night" spoken, and if any needed a 
reward for the day's work, they surely re- 
ceived it, in the silent eloquence of those 
long lines of faces, showing pale and peace- 
ful in the shaded room, as we quitted 
them, followed by grateful glances that 
lighted us to bed, where rest the sweetest, 
made our pillows soft, while night and na- 
ture took our places, filling that groat 
house of suffering with the healing mira* 
cles of sleep. 



93 




CHAPTER X 
Christmas in the Ward 

S the month of December sped 
on, the weather moderated to 
such a degree that, on Christ- 
mas eve sitting about the 
Nurses' home, it was so warm 
that the windows were thrown up, and the 
doors were left wide open. The balmy 
breezes were laden with an air of Christ- 
mas tide, and excitement ran high as the 
big army trucks would drive up to our 
back door, and the boys in khaki would 
unload boxes for this one and that, until 
each and every one had received some re- 
membrance from friends and loved ones 
at home. 

Many of the nurses were busy adding 
the last finishing touches to some small 
gift for the illest, or youngest, lad in her 
ward, and the hours flew by, full of gaiety 
and laughter, in anticipation of the festive 
occasion. Groups of nurses and soldier 
boys came in with their arms laden with 

94 



holly, palms and glistening branches of 
magnolia, for decorating the halls and re- 
ception room at the nurses' barracks. For 
tonight was the night of the first party, 
given as a reception to the nurses by tlie 
officers of the hospital in appreciation of 
our advent upon the scenes at this time. 
The tables in the great dining room were 
shoved to one end for serving tables, the 
benches placed around the walls for seats, 
and the floor sprinkled with corn meal to 
make it smooth and slick for those who 
wished to partake in that part of the fes- 
tivities, to "trip the light fantastic" until 
midnight. A large bowl of fruit punch 
was arranged upon a table under a bower 
of fern leaves, holly and mistletoe, and 
granite cups in abundance were handy so 
that each one may help themselves when 
they wished. 

Plates piled high with sandwiches of 
various kinds and plates of cookies covered 
by paper napkins were reposing upon the 
tables in the background, until their time 
should arrive to take a part in the merry 
festivities. 

There were some dozen or more of us 
who did not care for the dancing, but en- 
joyed watching the dancers glide to and 
fro, each girl attired in some soft pretty 

95 



evening frock, the various soft shades of 
color making a very pretty picture. The 
officers resplendent in all their straps, 
bars, belts, buttons and chevrons, their 
well-fitting uniforms and leather puttees 
setting off their manly figures to the best 
advantage, made a very striking picture, 
which I doubt if any present on that occa- 
sion had been accustomed to see vory 
often. We watched the scene until quite 
late, when tired and sleepy from a long 
day in the ward, we betook ourselves to 
our sleeping abode, whose windows being 
open wide, we fell asleep to the tunes of 
the then popular patriotic airs of "Over 
There," "Joan of Arc," "Pack Up Your 
Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag," and "A 
Long, Long Trail a Winding." 

"Merry Christmas !" "Merry Christ- 
mas," "Merry Christmas, Miss Lee!" 
echoed from every side as I entered my 
ward that Christmas morning. My col- 
league having left the ward a week ear- 
lier, I was alone to plan and superintend 
the preparations necessary to brighten 
our ward for this, our first Christmas in 
the Army. Most all of the nurses had 
spent a good part of their leisure mo- 
ments the past week trying to fix up some 
little gift for the sick, home-sick boys in 
our wards for as the Chief nurse once had 

96 




One-half of whose male population were tak- 
ing the other half to the guard house. 
See page 153. 



said to me in conversation : **Af ter all Miss 
Lee, men are but a lot of sick babies, 
when they are sick, and the bravest and 
most manly of them enjoy the coddling 
that only a woman's hands know how to 
administer." 

No wonder the greetings were hearty, 
and thin faces brightened, for when they 
awoke that morning, each lad found that, 
in the silence of the night, some friendly 
hand had laid a little gift beside his bed. 
Very humble little gifts they were, but 
chosen with thoughtfulness and a desire 
to make the blithe anniversary pleasant, 
even in a hospital, hoping to keep upper- 
most the lesson of the hour, — ^Peace on 
Earth, good will to man. 

"I say ma'am these are just splendid, 
and I had just been wishing for some of 
them," cried one poor fellow, surveying a 
bunch of white Malaga grapes with as 
much satisfaction as if he had found a 
fortune. "I thank you kindly Miss, for 
the paper and fixins, I hated to keep bor- 
rowing, but I don't seem to be able to get 
hold of any money," said another, eyeing 
his gift with happy anticipations of the 
home letters, with which the pages should 
be filled. 

**l want my basket of flowers hung in 

97 



the center of the room Miss, where all the 
boys can see it, if you please/' 

"But then I'm afraid you can't see it 
yourself Louis, and I think you're fonder 
of them than the rest," I said, taking both 
the little basket and the hand of my pet 
patient, a lad of twenty, who was valiant- 
ly fighting for his life against quick con- 
sumption. "That's why I can spare it for 
a while, I shall feel them in the room, and 
they'll do the boys good. You pick out 
the one you like best for me to keep and 
hang up the rest please." As I handed 
him a sprig of holly and a red rosebud, his 
smile was as sweet and winning to me, as 
was the flower to the lonely lad who never 
had known womanly tenderness and care 
until he found them in a hospital. Louis' 
prediction came true, the flowers did do 
the boys good, for all welcomed them with 
approving glances, and all felt their refin- 
ing influence more or less keenly, from 
cheery Pat, who paused to fill the cup in- 
side with fresh water, to surly Ben Bur- 
rows who stopped growling as his eye 
caught sight of the sweet peas just like 
those blooming in his sweetheart's garden 
last summep,r. 

I explained to them all then, that the 
one who merited the greater part of their 
gratitude was Miss Sailor, their first 

98 



nurse, then indisposed as also their faith- 
ful night nurse, came in for her share of 
the thanks, for we three had tried to be 
Santa Claus to our boys at this time. 

**Now let's begin to enjoy the festivities 
of the day. Fling up the windows Pat, 
and Alphonse go for breakfast, while I 
finish washing faces and straighten the 
bedclothes." After which directions I set 
to work and after half an hour's time, 
thirty gentlemen with spandy clean faces 
and hands, were partaking of refresh- 
ment with as much appetite as their var- 
ious conditions would permit. The air 
blew in through the windows as blandly as 
though spring had come, and wished the 
boys the compliments of the season in the 
mildest mood; while a festival smell per- 
vaded the whole house, and appetizing 
rumors of turkey, mince pie, and oysters 
for dinner circulated through the wards. 
When the breakfast things were cleared 
away, medicine administered, throats 
swabbed, ears irrigated, temperatures 
taken and all the disagreeables over, and 
the ward tidied up, the fun began. 

In any other place that would have been 
considered a very quiet morning. But to 
the weary invalids prisoned in the room, 
it was quite a whirl of excitement. 

None were dangerously ill, but Louis, 

99 



and all were easily amused, for weakness, 
homesickness and ennui, made every trifle 
a joke or an event. 

In came Pat with a big load of holly 
and magnolia branches. And such of the 
men who could get about and could help, 
did so. The corps boys generously aided 
when their duties permitted, and soon a 
green bough hung at the head of each bed, 
depended from the electric lights, and nod- 
ded over the doors and windows, while the 
finishing effect was given by a cross and 
wreath of holly at each end of the room. 
Each one manifested great interest, and 
many were the mishaps attending this 
performance, causing frequent laughter, 
for sick men when convalescent are par- 
ticularly jovial. When Sambo, the colored 
incapable, essayed a grand ornament above 
a door, and relying upon one insufficient 
nail, descended to survey his handiwork 
with the proud exclamation: "Look at de 
neatness of dat job, gen'Fmen," at which 
point the whole thing tumbled down about 
his ears, — how they all shouted but pneu- 
monia Bob, who having lost his voice, 
could only make ecstatic demonstrations 
with his legs. 

Poor Sambo cast himself and his 
hammer despairingly upon the floor, 
while stepping into a chair I pounded 

100 



stoutly at the traitorous nail, and with a 
bit of string made all fast, amid a burst 
of applause, which arose from the beds. 
When Lieutenant Roberts came in to see 
what all the noise was about, I explained 
while I tucked a bit of holly in his button- 
hole, and wished him a Merry Christmas, 
as he bolted out again calling Christmas a 
hard time, but exulting over the thirty 
emetics he would have to prescribe on the 
morrow. When everything was done, I 
think every one agreed with Louis, when 
he said, "I think we are coming Christ- 
mas in great style; things look so green 
and pretty, I feel, as I was setting in a 
bower." 

Pausing to glance around the ward en- 
joying the Chrismasy effect the greenery 
gave to it, I noticed Harkins, a boy from 
Ohio, looking as black as a thunderbolt. 
He bounced over on his bed the moment 
he caught my eye, but I followed him up 
and gently covering the cold shoulder he 
evidently meant to show me, peeped over 
it, asking with as much gentleness as I 
could "What can I do for you Harkins ? I 
want my boys to all have bright faces 
today." "I didn't get the box from home, 
they said I should get it two, three days 
ago. Why don't I get it then?" growled 
Harkins. 

101 



"It is a busy time, you know, but it 
will come if they promised, and patience 
won't delay it, I assured him." 

"They're a slow set, and my patience is 
about gone, Fd get it all right if I wore 
shoulder bars, as I don't I'll bet I'll never 
see it till the things are all spoiled and 
ain't fit to eat, and news is old and I don't 
care a rap about it." 

"I'll see what I can do; perhaps before 
the hurry with dinner begins, some one 
will have time to go for it." 

"Nobody ever has any time but folks 
who would give all they are worth to be 
stirring around. I know you can't get it; 
its my luck, so don't worry ma'am." 

I did not worry but worked, and in time 
someone was found, provided with the nec- 
essary money, pass, and directions, and 
dispatched to hunt up the missing Christ- 
mas box. 

Pausing to see what came next, not that 
it was necessary to look for a task, but, to 
decide which out of many was most im- 
portant to do first. Seeing my rheumatic 
patient Barker with his face all screwed 
up and tears running down his cheeks, I 
hastened to him. 

"Why Barker crying again? which is it 
headache, or back this time?" 

102 



"It's my *rheumatis* ma'am. My bones 
ache so I can't lay easy any way, and Fm 
so tired I just wish I could die and be out 
of this misery," sobbed the poor ghost of 
a once strong and cheery fellow, as I wiped 
the tears away and gently massaged the 
weary shoulders. "You must not wish that 
Barker for the worst is over and all you 
need is to get your strength again. The 
doctor has said you may sit up a little, 
and it is quite time you tried ; a change of 
posture will help the ache wonderfully and 
make this "deadful bed" as you call it, 
seem very comfortable when you come 
back to it." 

"I just can't ma'am. My legs ain't no 
good at all and I ain't even strong enough 
to try." "You never will be if you don't 
try." Never mind the legs, Pat will carry 
you. I have a wheel chair all ready and 
you will be real cozy by the fire. Why not 
celebrate Christmas day by overcoming 
the blues, which only retard your recov- 
ery, and prove to the others that your ill- 
ness has not taken all the manhood out of 
you." 

"It has though, I'll never be the man I 
was, and may just as well lay here till 
spring, for I shall be no use if I do get up." 

If Harkins was a growler, this man was 

103 



a well acted charade of his own name, as 
well as a whiner and few hospital wards 
are without both. But knowing that it 
was from much pain and suffering which 
had soured the former and pitifully weak- 
ened the latter, I tried to have patience 
with them, and still hoped to bring them 
round again. 

As Barker whimpered out his last dis- 
mal speech I bethought myself of some- 
thing which in the hurry of the morning, 
had slipped my mind till now. 

"By the way, Fve got another present 
for you. The doctor thought I'de better 
not give it yet, lest it should excite you 
too much, but I think you need a little ex- 
citement to help you to forget yourself, 
and when you realize how many blessings 
you have to be grateful for, you will make 
an effort to enjoy them." Blessings, 
ma'am ? I don't see 'em." "Don't you see 
one now " And drawing the letter from 
my pocket I held it before him. "It's from 
my wife, I guess. I like to get her letters 
but they are always full of grievings and 
worryings over me, so they don't do me 
much good." 

"This one may prove an exception to the 
rule and you may be very happy when you 
read it," I said as he sat moodily scanning 
the outside of the envelope. 

104 



Then breaking the seal he began to scan 
the pages and a wonderful change lighted 
up his countenance. As I watched him I 
thought there must indeed be wonderful 
news to change his face so quickly from 
the picture of gloom to one of noonday 
brightness. 

"Hooray ! hold on a bit,—- it's all right, — 
1*11 be out again in a minute." 

With which remarkable burst Barker 
vanished under the bedclothes, letter and 
all. Whether he read, laughed or cried, in 
the seclusion of that cotton grotto, was 
unknown, but I suspected that he did all 
three, for when he re-appeared he looked 
as though during that pause, he had dived 
into his sea of troubles and fished up his 
old self again. 

"What will I name her, Miss Lee?" 
was his first remark delivered with such 
vivacity that his neighbors began to think 
he was getting delirious again. "What is 
your wife's name?" I asked, gladly enter- 
ing into the domesticities which were pro- 
ducing such a salutary effect. 

"Her name is Ann. I'de decided on 
Steve, for I was countin on a boy named 
after me; and now you see I ain't a bit 
prepared for this young woman." 

Very proud of the young woman he 
seemed nevertheless, and perfectly resign- 

105 



ed to the loss of the expected son and heir. 

"Why not call her Stephanna then? 
That combines both her parents names and 
is not a bad one in itself." 

"Now that's just the brightest thing I 
ever heard in my life!" cried Barker sit- 
ting bolt upright in his excitement, though 
half an hour before he would have consid- 
ered it an utterly impossible feat. "Ste- 
phanna Appleton Barker, — its a tip-top 
name, ma'am and we can call her Stevie 
just the same. Ann will like that, bless 
them both ! Don't I wish I was at home ? 
And down he went again despairing. 

"You can be before long if you choose. 
Get your strength up and off you go. 
Come, begin at once, — drink your beef- 
tea and sit up for a few minutes just in 
honor of the good news you know." 

"I will, By Steph! — no, by Stephanna! 
That's a good one, ain't it ?" and the whole 
ward was electrified by hearing a genuine 
giggle from the "Bluing-Bag." Down went 
the beef -tea and up scrambled the deter- 
mined drinker, with many groans, and a 
curious jumble of chuckles, staggers and 
fragmentary repititions of his first, last 
and only joke. But when settled in the 
comfortable wheel chair, upholstered with 
pillows, with the gray flannel robe on, and 
the new Christmas slippers getting their 

106 



inaugural scorch, Barker forgot his bones 
and sat before the fire seemingly feeling 
amazingly well, and looking very like a 
trussed fowl being roasted in the primitive 
fashion. 

The languid importance of the man, and 
the irrepressible satisfaction of the par- 
ent were both laughable and touching 
things to see, for the happy soul could not 
keep the glad tidings to himself. A hos- 
pital ward is often a small republic, beau- 
tifully governed by pity, patience and the 
mental sympathy, which lessens mutual 
suffering. Barker was no favorite, but 
more than one honest fellow felt his heart 
warm towards him as they saw his dismal 
face kindle with fatherly pride, and heard 
the querulous quaver of his voice soften 
with fatherly, affection, as he said "my lit- 
tle Stephie, sir." 

I guess he'll be getting along foin now 
Miss, this has given him the boost he need- 
ed, and in a week or two he'll be off our 
hands." 

Pat made the remark with a beaming 
countenance and Pat deserves a word of 
praise for he never said one for himself. 
An ex-patient promoted to an attendant's 
place, which he filled so well that he was 
regarded as a model for all the rest to 

107 



copy. Patient, strong, and tender, he 
seemed to combine many of the best traits 
of both man and woman; for he appeared 
to know by instinct where the soft spot 
was to be found, in every heart, and how 
best to help sick body or sad soul. No one 
would have guessed this to have seen him 
lounging in the hall during one of the 
short rests he allowed himself. A brawny 
six foot Irish fellow, in a much faded (by 
oft repeated washing) khaki shirt, khaki 
trousers, also showing evidence of much 
scrubbing, for Pot was immaculate. Army 
shoes and spiral puttees, a well shaven 
coarse-featured face, whose prevailing ex- 
pression was one of great gravity and 
kindness, though a humorous twinkle of 
the eye at times betrayed the man, whose 
droll sayings at times set the boys in a 
roar. 

"A good-natured, clumsy body," would 
have been the verdict passed upon him by 
a casual observer; but watch him in his 
ward and see how great a wrong that 
hasty judgment would have done him. 

Unlike his predecessor who helped him- 
self generously when the meals came up, 
and carelessly served out rations for the 
rest, leaving even the most helpless to 
bungle for themselves, or wait till he was 
done, shut himself into his pantry and 

108 



there, — to borrow a hospital phrase, — 
"gorge." Pat often left nothing for him- 
self, or took cheerfully such cold bits, as 
remained when all the rest were served; 
so patiently feeding the weak, being hands 
and feet to them, and a pleasant provider 
for all that, as one of the boys said,^ — "The 
vittles tastes better when Pat fetches 
them." If one were restless Pat carried 
him in his strong arms, holding him with 
a touch as firm as kind. If one were home- 
sick, Pat wrote letters for him with great 
hearty blots under all the affectionate or 
important words. More than one unhappy 
fellow read his fate in Pat's pitiful eyes 
and breathed his last breath away on Pat's 
broad breast, — always a quiet pillow till 
its work was done, then it would heave 
with genuine grief, as his big hand softly 
closed the tired eyes and made another 
comrade ready for the last review. 

The war showed us many Pat's. For the 
same power of human pity which makes 
women brave, also makes men tender, and 
each is the womanlier, the manlier, for 
these revelations of unsuspected strength 
and sympathies. 

At twelve o'clock Christmas dinner was 
the prevailing idea in ward No. 24, and 
when the door opened, every man sniffed 
for savory odors broke loose from the 

109 



kitchen and went roaming about the house. 
Now this dinner had been much talked of ; 
besides the Government supplies from the 
Q. M. department, certain charitable and 
patriotic persons in the town of N — had 
endeavored to provide every ward in the 
hospital with materials for this time-hon- 
ored feast. Some mistake in the list sent 
to headquarters, some unpardonable ne- 
glect of orders, or some premeditated rob- 
bery, caused the long expected dinner in 
ward 24 to prove a dead failure; but to 
which of these causes it was attributable, 
was never known, for the deepest mystery 
enveloped that transaction. The full 
weight of the dire disappointment was 
mercifully lightened by premonitions of 
the impending blow. Alphonse was often 
missing, for the corps boys were to dine 
en masse after the patients were done, 
therefore a speedy banquet for the latter 
was ardently desired, and, he probably de- 
voted his energies goading on the cooks. 
He would appear in the doorway from time 
to time, make some thrilling announce- 
ment and vanish, leaving ever-increasing 
appetite, impatience and expectation, be- 
hind him. Dinner was to be served at one ; 
at half past twelve Alphonse proclaimed: 
"Dere ain't no vegetables but beets and 
pitaters." 

110 



A universal groan arose, and several in- 
dignant parties on a short allowance of 
meat, consigned the defaulting cook to a 
warmer climate than the tropical one he 
was then enjoying. 

At quarter of one, Alphonse increased 
the excitement by whispering iminously: 
"I say, dere ain't no plum puddin." 

"Fling a pillar at him and shut the door, 
Pat," roared an irascible being, while sev- 
eral others received the news with equani- 
mity. 

At ten minutes of one, Alphonse piled 
up the agony by adding the bitter infor- 
mation, "Dere isn't but two turkeys for 
this ward and dey's little fellers." 

Anxiety instantly appeared on every 
countenance, and intricate calculations 
were made as to how far the two fowls 
would go when divided among thirty men ; 
also friendly warnings were administered 
to several of the feebler gentlemen not to 
indulged too freely, if at all, for fear of re- 
lapses. 

Once more did the bird of evil omen re- 
turn, for just as the clock struck one, Al- 
phonse croaked through the keyhole, 
"Dere ain't no pies at all, only ice cream, 
genTmen." 

That capped the climax, for the mascu- 
line palate has a predilection for pastry 

111 



and mince pies was the sheet-anchor to 
which all had clung when other hopes went 
down. Even Pat looked dismayer; not 
that he expected anything but the per- 
fume and pickings for his share, but he 
had set his generous heart on having the 
dinner an honor to the institution, and a 
memorable feast to the men, so far away 
from home, and all that usually makes the 
day a festival among the poorest. 

He looked pathetically grave as Barker 
began to fret, Harkins began to swear 
under his breath, Rowland to sigh, Louis 
to wish it was all over, and the rest began 
to vent their emotions with a freedom 
which was anything but inspiring. At 
that moment, I was called to the door to 
attend the occupants of a big car which 
had driven up to the front. A few mo- 
ments later returning to the ward bearing 
a great basket of apples and oranges in 
one hand and in the other a basket con- 
taining several convivial looking bottles. 

"Here is our dessert boys! A kind 
friend remembered us and we will drink 
her health in her own grape wine." I said 
while I noticed a feeble smile circulating 
round the room, as in some sanguine 
bosoms hope revived again. Pat briskly 
emptied the baskets while I whispered to 
Louis, — " I know you will be glad to get 

112 



away from the confusion of the next hour, 
to enjoy a breath of fresh air, and dine 
quietly with Mrs. Blain in A — wouldn't 
you?" 

"Oh ! Miss Fde like it so much, but how 
in the world can I go " The ambulance 
most killed me last time, and I am weaker 
now." "My dear boy I should not think of 
letting you go in the ambulance. Miss 
Blain's auto is at the door and all you have 
to do is to let me bundle you up and Pat 
carry you out to the soft cushions of the 
car," I said as he looked eagerly at me, 
and gave a sigh of relief as he submitted 
to both of these processes, and as I watch- 
ed his happy face as the car smoothly 
glided away, I felt amply repaid for the 
little sacrifice of rest and pleasure for Mrs. 
Blain had come for me instead of Louis. 
"Now Pat we must make this unfortunate 
dinner go off as well as we can," I wMsper- 
ed. "On many accounts it is a mercy that 
the men are spared the temptations of a 
more generous feast; pray don't tell them 
so, but make the best of it, as you know 
very well how to do." 

"Fll try my best. Miss Lee, but I'm no 
less disappointed, for some of thim, bein 
no better than children, have been livin on 
the thoughts of it for a week, and it comes 
hard to give it up." Having him place 

113 



several small tables together in the end of 
the room I made a judicious display of 
plates, knives and forks while he went for 
the banquet. Presently he returned bear- 
ing the youthful turkeys and the vege- 
tables in his tray, followed by Alphonse 
looking melancholy, but elated, that the 
time was near for his pessimistic phophe- 
cies to be fulfilled. 

I played a lively tattoo as the procession 
approached, and when the viands were ar- 
ranged, with the red and yellow fruit pret- 
tily heaped up in the middle, it really did 
look like a dinner. 

"Now, gentlemen, here's richness ! 
Here's the delicacies of the season, and the 
comforts of life V* said Pat, falling back to 
survey the table with as much apparent 
satisfaction as if it had been a lord may- 
or's feast. 

"Hurry on Pat, and give us our dinner, 
what there is of it!" grumbled Harkins. 
"Boys, continued Pat, beginning to cut up 
the turkeys, these noble birds have been 
sacrificed for the defenders of their coun- 
try ; they will go as far as ever they can, 
and, when they can't go any farther, we 
shall supply their lack with soup or ham, 
oysters having given out unexpectedly. 
"Put it to a vote; both having been pro- 
vided on this joyful occasion, and a word 

114 



will fetch either." "Ham! ham! respond- 
ed from all sides. Soup was an e very-day 
affair, and therefore repudiated with 
scorn; but ham being somewhat of a rar- 
ity, was accepted as a proper reward of 
merit, and acknowledgment of their 
wrongs. The "noble birds" did go as far 
as possible and with the addition of a 
plentiful helping of gravy and each plate 
garnished by a large slice of ham along 
side of the potato and beets, would have 
been at any other time considered a "fair 
feed," but on this day a few extras had 
been expected and the disappointment was 
keen. 

Taking the one brick of ice cream and 
dividing it into thirty diminutive pieces, 
Pat placed each mouthful upon the center 
of a large clean plate, and handed them 
around with the gravity of an undertaker. 
Dinner had restored good humor to many ; 
this hit with the dessert put the finishing 
touch to it, and from that moment an at- 
mosphere of jollity prevailed. Healths 
were drunk in grape juice, apples and 
oranges flew about as an impromptu game 
of ball was got up, and Pat gamboled like a 
sportive giant as he cleared things away. 

Pausing in one of his prances to and fro, 
he beckoned me out, and, following, hand- 
ed me a plate heaped up with good things. 

115 



"Come right in here and eat it while its 
hot, said he, leading the way into the kit- 
chen and pointing to a sunny window seat. 

"Are you sure you have eaten, and this 
is not your dinner Pat?" I said while his 
wild expostulations showed me that I was 
right and his words "why of course I have, 
IVe just been feastin' sumptuous in this 
very room,^' were of no weight. 

"I don't exactly see what you have been 
feasting on," glancing around the tidy pan- 
try, and now Pat, since I am now going to 
the nurses' quarters to dinner, and a good 
one, I command you to sit down here and 
eat your dinner without a protest or mur- 
mur, nevertheless I thank you heartily for 
wanting me to have your dinner, but since 
I know of no one who deserves it more 
than yourself, you will be obliging me very 
much by consuming it as quickly as you 
can. 

"Thankee, Miss, Fll only eat it to oblige 
you, for at the rate he's going on Alphonse 
wouldn't be equal to it," said Pat, looking 
very much relieved, as he polished his last 
fork and hung his toy^el up to dry. 

Upon returning to the ward after par- 
taking of a very good Christmas dinner 
at the nurses* home, having left Pat in 
charge during my absence, I found that a 

116 



pretty general siesta followed the excite- 
ment of dinner in the ward, but by three 
o'clock the public mind was ready for 
amusement, and the arrival of Harkins' 
box provided it. 

He was asleep when it was brought in 
and quietly deposited at the foot of his 
bed, ready to surprise him on awaking. 
The advent of a box was a great event, 
for the fortunate receiver seldom failed to 
treat the rest, and next best to getting 
things from one's own home, was the get- 
ting them from some other boy's home. 
This was a very large box, and all felt im- 
patient to have it opened, though Harkins' 
exceeding crustiness prevented very great 
expectations. Presently he awakened, and 
the first thing his eye fell upon was the 
box, with his own name in big black let- 
ters on the top. He stared stupidly at it 
for awhile, as if it had been the continu- 
ance of his dream, then sat up exclaiming : 
"There you are! you've come at last!" 
"Now who said it wouldn't come? Who 
hadn't the faith of a mosquito? and who 
didn't half deserve it by being a fusser," 
cried Pat, emphasizing each question with 
a bang on the box as he waited, hammer 
in hand, for the arrival of the ward mas- 
ter, whose duty it was to oversee the open- 
ing of such boxes and parcels which came 

117 



to the ward. "Ain't it a dandy big box?" 
Knock it open and don't wait for anybody 
or anything!" cried Harkins tumbling 
from his bed and pounding on the lid with 
his one hand, his other arm having been 
broken in an accident at the Remount sta- 
tion. In came the ward master, off came 
the cover, and out rolled a motley collection 
of apples, papers, socks, doughnuts, pick- 
les, photographs, pocket handerchiefs, to- 
bacco and perfume. "All right, glad it's 
come, — don't kill yourself," said the ward 
master, as he took a hasty survey and 
walked off again. Drawing the box near- 
er the bed, Pat delicately followed, and 
Harkins was left to brood over his treas- 
ures alone. At first all the others follow- 
ing Pat's example, made elaborate preten- 
ses of going to sleep, being absorbed in 
books, or utterly interested in the outer 
world. But very soon curiosity got the 
better of politeness, and one by one they 
all turned round and stared. They might 
have done so from the first, for Harkins 
was perfectly unconscious of anything but 
his own affairs, and having gone through 
everything, read the letters, looked at the 
pictures, undid the bundles, turned every- 
thing inside out, and upside down, tasted 
all the eatables, and made a spectacle of 
himself with jam, he paused to get his 

118 



breath and find his way out of the con- 
fusion he had created. Presently he call- 
ed out: Miss Lee, will you come and 
help me straighten up my duds ? As I be- 
gan to straighten up he said, "I don't know 
what I'll do with them all, for some won't 
keep long ; I'm afraid my appetite will give 
out a'fore I finish them up or they spoil." 
"How do the others manage with their 
things " I asked innocently, knowing with- 
out having to put the question. "They 
give 'em away, but I'll be hanged if I do, 
for they are always callin' me names and 
pokin' fun at me. Guess they'll not get 
anything out of me now." 

The old cross look came back a^b he 
spoke, for it had disappeared while read- 
ing the home letters, touching the home 
gifts. Still busily folding and arranging, I 
asked : "You know the story of the three 
Gnomes, which are you going to be — Dis- 
agreeable, Halfway pleasant, or Very 
agreeable?" Harkins laughed at this sud- 
den application of the nursery legend, and 
seeing my advantage I pursued it: "We 
all know how much you have suffered, for 
having a broken arm and limb at one time 
is no joke, and we respect you for the 
courage with which you have borne your 
long confinement, but don't you think you 
have given the boys some cause for laugh- 

119 



ing at you, as you say? You used to be a 
favorite and can be again, if you will only 
try to cheer up and help keep the others 
cheerful. Better lose both arm and limb 
Harkins than cheerfulness and self-con- 
trol, and the respect of your fellow suf- 
ferers." Pausing to see how my little lec- 
ture was received, I felt that Harkins' bet- 
ter self was waking up and added yet an- 
other word, with a desire to help a mental 
and spiritual ailment as well as the physi- 
cal ones. Looking at him as kindly as I 
could, I said in a lowered voice, — as I did 
not wish the others to bear: "This day 
on which the most perfect life began, is a 
good day for all of us to set about making 
ourselves readier to follow that divine ex- 
ample. Troubles are helpers if we take 
them kindly, and the bitterest may sweet- 
en us for all our lives. Believe and try this 
Harkins and when you leave us, let those 
who love you find that tho' lame in arm 
and limb you have fought an important 
battle and won." Harkins made no an- 
swer, but sat thoughtfully with a half- 
eaten apple in his hand. He stole a glance 
about the room, and as if all helps were 
waiting for him, his eye met Louis'. From 
his solitary bed he would seldom leave 
again before going to his grave, the boy 
smiled back at him so sweetly and happily 

120 



that Harkins' heart warmed as he looked 
upon the faces of mother, sister and sweet- 
heart, scattered about him, and remem- 
bered how poor his comrade was in such 
tender ties, and yet how rich in content, 
which, "having nothing, yet hath all." He 
had no words with which to express his 
feelings, but it came to him and did him 
good, as he proved in his own way. "Miss 
Lee," he said a little awkwardly, "I 
wish you'd pick out what you think each 
would like, and give 'em to the boys." He 
got a smile in answer which drove him to 
his apple as a refugee, for his lips would 
tremble, and he felt half proud, half ash- 
amed, to have earned such quick approval. 
"Let Pat help you," I said: "He knows 
better than I. But you must give them all 
yourself, it will so surprise and please the 
boys; and tomorrow write a capital letter 
home telling what a jubilee you made over 
their fine box." At this proposal he half 
repented; but as Pat came lumbering up 
at my summons, he laid hold of his new 
resolutions with all his might. Dividing 
the most cherished possession, which (alas 
for romance) was the tobacco, he bundled 
the larger half into a paper, whispering 
to me: "Pat ain't exactly what you'd call 
a ministerin' angel, to look at, but he is 
amazin' near one in his ways, so I'm goin' 

121 



to begin with him." Up came the "minis- 
tering angel" in khaki and cowhide boots, 
and Harkins tucked the little parcel into 
his pocket, saying as he began to rummage 
violently in the box: "Now just hold your 
tongue and lend a hand here about these 
things." Pat was so taken back by this 
proceeding that he stared blankly, till a 
look from me enlightened him; and tak- 
ing his cue, he played his part as well as 
could be expected on so short a notice. 
Clapping Harkins on the shoulder — not 
the bad one, Pat was always thoughtful of 
those things — he exclaimed heartily: "I 
always said you'd be all right when your 
leg got well and this arm of yours got a 
good start, and here you are jollier*n ever. 
Lend a hand! So I will, a pair of *em. 
What's to do? Pack these traps up 
again?" "No, I want you to tell me what 
you'd do with 'em if they were yours." 
Pat held onto the box a moment as if this 
second surprise rather took him off his 
legs; but another look from the prime 
mover in this resolution steadied him, and 
he fell to work as if Harkins had been in 
the habit of being "free." "Well let's see. 
I think Id put these clothes into this smal- 
ler box and stand it under the table, handy. 
Here's newspapers and pictures too! I'd 
make a circulatin' lib'ry of them; they'll 

122 



be a real treat. The pickles I'd set on the 
window here as a kind of relish at dinner 
time or to pass along to them as longs for 
'em. Cologne, that's a terribly handsome 
bottle, ain't it? That now would be a 
first-rate gift to somebody as was fond of 
it, sort of delicate attention, you know, — 
if you happen to meet such a person any- 
wheres." The jelly I'd give to Miss Lee 
to use for the sick ones ; the cake and that 
pot of jam that's gettin' ready to work, 
I'd stand treat with for tea, as dinner 
wasn't all we could have wished." "The 
apples I'd keep to eat and fling at Louis 
there, when he's too bashful to ask for 
one, and the tobaccer I would not go lav- 
ishin' on folks that have no business to be 
en joy in' luxuries, when many a poor fellow 
is dyin' of want in the world." Harkins 
was enjoying the full glow of his generos- 
ity by this time. As Pat designated the 
various articles, he set them apart, and 
when the inventory ended, he marched 
hmping away with the first installment: 
The biggest, rosiest apple and all the pic- 
torial papers for Louis. Pickles are not 
usually regarded as tokens of regard, but 
as Harkins dealt them out one at a time, 
for he wouldn't let anybody help him, and 
his good hand being the left, was as awk- 
ward as it was willing,— the boys' faces 

123 



brightened, for a friendly word accom- 
panied each, which made the sour gherkins 
as welcome as sweetmeats. With every 
trip the donor's spirits rose; for Pat cir- 
culated freely between whiles, and thanks 
to him, not an allusion to the past marred 
the satisfaction of the present. Jam and 
cake was such an addition to the usual bill 
of fare, that when supper was over a vote 
of thanks was passed, and speeches were 
made; for being true Americans, the rul- 
ing passion found vent in the usual "Fel- 
low Citizens! and allusions to the Stars 
and Stripes for ever." After which Har- 
kins subsided, feeling himself a public 
benefactor and a man of mark. 

The doctor's evening rounds over, medi- 
cines given, tidying up the ward, bathing 
faces and hands, beating up pillows, 
straightening and brushing out crumbs 
from the beds for the night, and Christ- 
mas day is over in Ward 24. Going to a 
shelf at the end of the room, I took down 
a rusty covered volume, and sitting down 
by Louis' bed began to read aloud. One 
by one all other sounds grew still; one by 
one the men composed themselves to lis- 
ten ; and one by one the words of the sweet 
old Christmas story came to them, as I 
read on. If any wounded spirit needed 
balm, if any hungry heart asked food, if 

124 



any upright purpose, new-born inspira- 
tion, or sincere repentance wavered for 
want of human strength, all found help 
and consolation in the beautiful and bless- 
ed influences of the dear old book and the 
story of that first Christmas. The clock 
struck seven, the day's work was done; 
but I lingered beside the boy Louis, for his 
face wore a wistful look and it seemed as 
though there was something he wished to 
say. "What is it Louis boy What can I 
do for you before I leave you for the 
night?" I asked as he drew me nearer 
and whispered: "It's something that I 
know you'll do for me, because I can't do it 
for myself, not as I want it done and you 
can." "I just want you before you go, and 
because its Christmas, to tell the boys — 
every one, from Pat to Alphonse — how 
much I thank 'em, how much I love 'em, 
and when someone else is in this bed and 
I'm gone, how glad I was that I had known 
'em, even a little while." "Yes, Louis, I'll 
tell them all. What else can I do my 
boy?" "Only let me say to you what no 
one else must say for me, that all I want 
to live for is to try to do something in my 
poor way to show you how I thank you 
Ma'am." "You've made this such a happy 
home-like place, I shall be sorry when I 
have to go." Poor Louis! It must have 

125 



fared hardly with him all those twenty- 
years, if a hospital seemed home-like and 
a little care, a little sympathy could fill 
him with such earnest gratitude. "Today 
I hadn't anything to give you Fm so poor, 
but I wanted to tell you this on the last 
Christmas I shall ever see." "He placed a 
kiss upon my hand which he held in his 
very himbly, and the sincerity of a great 
gratitude made it both a precious and 
sacred gift to me who half unconsciously 
had made this brief and barren life so 
happy and contented at it's close. After 
telling the boys his wish I murmured, as I 
smoothed back the hair from his brow: 
"I have had my present, now Louis: Good 
night my boy and happy dreams," and left 
the ward. 



126 




CHAPTER XI 

A Change of Surroundings 

)T was the custom at this hos- 
pital to make a change all 
around once a month, when 
the night nurses came off and 
others took their places, 
which was a very good plan, as the work 
in some of the wards was much harder 
than that in others, and by this method 
each and all had their turn at both heavy 
and light work. 

I had during the month in our ward 
grown very fond of my boys, and had a 
reluctance at leaving them. For we had 
grown to seem like comrades. I usually 
found them in the jolliest state of mind 
their condition allowed, for it was a known 
fact that Miss Lee objected to blue 
devils, and entertained a belief that he 
who laughed most was sure to recover 
first. At the beginning of my reign, 
dumps and dismals prevailed, and a gen- 
eral "Hark ! from the-tombs-a-dolef ul- 
sound," style of conversation seemed to be 

127 



the fashion ; a state of things which caus- 
ed one coming from a merry social North- 
ern town to feel as if she had gotten into 
most untoward circumstances, and the in- 
stinct of self-preservation, to say nothing 
of a philanthropic desire to serve the race, 
caused a speedy change in Ward No. 24. 
More flattering than the most gracefully 
turned compliment, more grateful than the 
most admiring glance, was the sight of 
those rows of faces, all strange to me a 
little while ago, now lighting up with 
smiles of welcome, as I came among them, 
enjoying that moment heartily with a 
womanly pride in their regard, a motherly 
affection for them all. But now they 
would all soon be going home on furlough 
after their long sick spell, or back to camp 
to take up their various duties where they 
had left them when overtaken by sickness. 
Many of the boys had already gone and 
many new recruits had been added to our 
ranks since that first day but my heart 
was a trifle sad as I ipade my last rounds 
of the ward and told my boys goodbye. 
Then I left them, taking with me the mem- 
ory of many pleasant manly faces, glad to 
have known and ministered to so brave a 
lot, and hoping for each a speedy return 
to home and loved ones and the pursuit of 
happiness nearest to his heart when the 

128 








4 - 






«o 




U5 


~ 


iH 




0) 


i 


W) 




03 


';. 


a 




(X» 


i 


CD 


i 


U2 




bi) 




ri 








rd 




o 




^ 




Oj 




a 




CC! 


\ 


>. 


i 


03 


1 


^ 




1— 1 




03 




bt) 


i 


rt 




• i-H 


j 


^ 




o 




^ 


1 


o3 


1 


a 


' 


bio 




1=1 


* 


•r-^ 


' 


,^ 


j 


o 




!i-i 




03 




^ 


•' ?l~ 'J 









■A 



war should finally be over and our great- 
est trouble at an end. 

My next field of action lay in Ward No. 
18, which was for clean surgical cases. 
The work here was very interesting; the 
patients all looked happy and well cared 
for, the beds looked so neat in their white 
wool blankets (we had only gray in the 
other ward) but strange to say there were 
no pillows for the beds. A piece of mos- 
quito netting stuffed into a pillow case, or 
a folded blanket did duty as a pillow until 
a happy circumstance fitted our ward out 
in fine shape and not a lad but whom pos- 
sessed a soft fleecy downy pillow for his 
head. 

It was while here that some of the hap- 
piest, as well as saddest moments were 
spent. There were two doctors in the 
ward, one a round-faced, short, heavy-set 
docior, Lieutenant John's, from New Or- 
leans, and a tall, thin, lank, lean doctor, 
from Oklahoma, by the name of Lieuten- 
ant ,Boggs. Three times a day this dole- 
ful yisaged individual made his rounds, 
leaving the customary amount of discom- 
fort, discontent and dismay behind him. 
He was anything but a sanguine or con- 
ciliatory personage, though skillful enough 
doctor no doubt. He saw life through the 
bluest of spectacles, and seemed to think 

129 



that the sooner people quitted it the hap- 
pier for them. I dare say he did his duty 
by the men, but if they recovered, he 
looked half disappointed and congratu- 
lated them with cheerful prophesies that 
there would come a time when they would 
wish they hadn't. If one died he seemed 
relieved and surveyed him with pensive 
satisfaction, saying heartily : "He's better 
off now, poor devil, and well out of this 
miserable world, thank God." Dante's 
doleful line might have been appropriately 
written over the door: 

"Who enters here leaves hope behind." 
But for Dennis O'Lear, the capable and 
efficient ward master here, the sanitary 
influences of the ward would have been 
small. Lieut. John's seldom appeared upon 
the scenes, but when these rare occasions 
did occur, he was always jovial, genial and 
jolly, cheering the boys with some pleas- 
ant remark, the direct antipode in dispo- 
sition to Lieut. Boggs. Dennis O'Lear 
(the boys called him Learie for short) and 
Dr. B. perfectly understood and liked each 
other well enough, but never agreed, al- 
ways skirmished over the boys as if man- 
ful cheerfulness, and medical despair were 
fighting for the soul and body of each one. 
"Well, Dr. B. would remark, while inspect- 
ing some wound not healing as quickly as 

130 



he expected it to, tetanus sometimes fol- 
lows such cases, but that is soon over, and 
I should not object to a case of it, by way 
of variety." The patient's hopeful face 
would fall, and he would set his teeth as if 
the fatal symptom were already felt. "If 
one kind of lockjaw was more popular than 
'itis, it wouldn't be a bad thing for some 
folks I could mention," observed "Learie" 
covering the well healed wound as care- 
fully as if it were a sleeping baby, adding, 
as the doctor walked away, "there's a sour 
old saw bones for you !" Why bless your 
bones Harry, you're getting on splendid 
and he just goes on that way because 
there's no chance of his gettin' another 
whack at you !" 

"Now there he goes to Burns to squelch 
him, just as we've bio wed a spark of spirit 
into him; if ever there was a born extin- 
guisher, its Boggs." Learie rushed to the 
rescue, and not a minute too soon, for 
Burns who now labored under the delu- 
sion that his recovery depended solely 
upon his getting up in a chair a few min- 
utes each day, was sitting by the fire, 
looking up at the doctor, who pleasantly 
observed, while feeling his pulse, — "So 
you're getting up another fever are you V 
"Well we've grown rather fond of you and 
will keep you six weeks longer if you have 

131 



set your heart on it." Burns looked ner- 
vous, for the doctor's jokes were always 
grim ones, but Learie took his other hand 
in his and gently rocked the chair as he re- 
plied, with great politeness: ^This robust 
convalescent of our'n would be happy to 
oblige you, sir, but he has a pressin' en- 
gagement up state for next week and 
couldn't stop on no account." "You take 
the responsibility of this step upon your- 
self, do you? Very well, then I wash my 
hands of Bums, only, if that bed is empty 
in a week, don't lay the blame of it at my 
door." "Nothing shall induce me to do it 
sir," briskly responded Learie. "Now 
then, turn in my boy, and sleep your pret- 
tiest for I wouldn't but disappoint that 
cheerf ulest of men for a month's pay ; and 
that's liberal, as I ain't likely to get it." 

This ward was not so well supplied with 
towels and bedding as the one where I had 
been. We had some half dozen pillows to 
do duty for forty beds. As in so many 
instances in the Army Hospital, there was 
a lack of judgment in distributing sup- 
plies, for there would be an over abundant 
supply of some commodity, while a total 
absence of some other perhaps far more 
useful article existed. For example, while 
having no pillows, one whole long shalf 
was needed to hold the stacks of pillow 

132 



cases in the linen closet. While there 
were dozens of bath towels in this ward, 
not a face towel or wash cloth was to be 
found, until several weeks later. 

Whether from neglect of those in charge 
in putting in requisition for articles need- 
ed, I know not, but it was most pathetic 
to watch the poor fellows brought from 
the operating room, thrown into bed and 
have to lay for days and weeks without a 
pillow with any approach to softness 
under their heads. 

In a letter to friends at home I remark- 
ed upon this subject and mentioned the 
fact that I almost envied the sofas all 
over the country, the nice soft pillows I 
was sure reposed in state upon them, 
while our poor boys lay there with nothing 
but the hard mattress under their heads, 
or perhaps for slight elevation, a folded 
blanket. Little did I know then the out- 
come of that letter. It went before the 
Red Cross Society in a Northern town, and 
touched the motherly hearts of those 
Northern ladies in behalf of the boys in 
the South, and ere long two huge boxes 
of lovely pillows traveled through many 
states until finally landing in Ward No. 18 
made forty beds comfortable, forty faces 
bright and happy, and forty hearts very 
grateful, and full of praise for the kind 

133 



and loving hearts of the women who cared 
for their sufferings by adding to their 
comfort and ease though so far away. 
There were enough pillows besides, to 
bring cheer and comfort to other wards 
also. I will relate a very sad instance 
which occurred while here. 

One day after I had been in my ward 
about three weeks, I came upon a young 
boy about eighteen, who had just come in 
from camp the evening before. I saw at 
a glance that he was frightened almost to 
death. He was pale at the prospect of 
having to submit to an appendectomy. 
Upon questioning him, I learned that he 
had never spent so much as one night 
away from home until coming into the 
Army, whereupon alighting in camp, the 
few weeks of strenuous exercise connect- 
ed with drilling, marching with heavy 
packs, digging mock trenches, etc., had 
brought on a pain in his side which was 
diagnosed as appendicitis. He had then 
been hustled in here to be "whittled on*' 
as he expressed it. I saw at once that he 
was in need of some "mothering" so I pro- 
ceeded to comfort him as best I could, by 
telling him that I was very sorry that the 
doctors found an operation needful, but 
that it would in all probability not he so 
dangerous or painful as he had surmised. 

134 



That the anaesthetic which was not at all 
dangerous, seeing he had a good heart, 
would prevent his suffering any pain, and 
that I was much interested in his case, and 
would be at his bedside when he came 
back, to watch his recovery from the 
anaesthesia. My words, I saw, had a quiet- 
ing effect upon him, and he looked eagerly 
at me as he said : "Please maa'm would it 
be too much trouble for you, could you go 
to the operating room with me?" I was 
very sorry just then, for the strict rules 
in Army hospitals which prevented one's 
going and coming as one pleased, and I 
knew there were sufficient nurses on duty 
in the operating room at that time to at- 
tend to all duties connected with that de- 
partment, and that it would be considered 
a very foolish and unnecessary request 
should I ask leave to accompany one of my 
boys, just to satisfy a whim, but his face 
was so eager and wistful that I hadn't the 
heart to refuse, so I said I would see what 
we could do about it. 

It happened Dr. Boggs was in the office 
when I made my request. I had hoped Dr. 
John's would be present, for I had little 
hope of gaining any favor from Dr. Boggs. 
It was evident that I had made as absurd 
a demand as if I had asked for the nose off 
his respectable face, for he scowled and 

135 



stared, and before he had time to burst 
forth with the torrent of scathing re- 
marks, which was aminous from the looks 
of his face, I backed out leaving him no 
doubt to regret that such mild maniacs 
were left at large ! 

I went back to Moor's bedside and told 
him that since he would be gone from the 
ward such a little while, and while he was 
gone, I would have to see to preparing his 
bed for his return, with fresh linen, warm 
bottles, etc., that it would be impossible 
for me to accompany him, but with prom- 
ises of being on hand at his bedside upon 
his return, I gave him a pat on the should- 
er and a gentle smooth-back to his fore- 
lock as I said: "There I knew you were 
one of my bravest soldiers, of whom I feel 
very proud." He grabbed my hand, laid 
his cheek upon it for a second, then was 
wheeled down the ward toward the door, 
and out into the corridor leading to the 
operating room. It was through my soli- 
citation for this homesick boy that after- 
ward caused my summary dismissal from 
this ward, by Dr. Boggs, who seemed to 
take a dislike to both the boy and myself, 
from the day I asked to accompany the 
lad to the operating room. 

When Moor returned, I noticed symptoms 
of a cold even before he was well out of 

136 



the ether. And little wonder. One of my 
chief worries was, on seeing the boys come 
from the warmth of the operating room, be 
wheeled through a long corridor with many 
times insufficient covering over their bodies 
which usually were drenched with perspir- 
ation. 

The ward master or corps boys of inex- 
perience were usually left to attend to this 
part of the proceeding, and should a nurse 
remonstrate at such procedure, would in 
many cases be tho't fussy and be set aside 
with an amused smile of masculine super- 
iority, so the consequences were that in 
many, as in Moor's case, a most disagree- 
able cold, if not ether pneumonia would 
develop. "Lieut." John's being absent so 
much, I drew the attention of "Lieut." 
Boggs to the boy, but when in a day or 
two his cold had developed to such alarm- 
ing proportions without any apparent sol- 
icitation on the doctor's part, I again men- 
tioned the boy to Dr. Boggs, adding that 
I feared if something was not done soon, 
he w^ould go into pneumonia. His cough 
being tight and hoarse and his tempera- 
ture rising. Dr. Boggs evidently did not 
consider the boy's condition in such a grave 
state as i had pictured it, for a couple of 
days more elapsed without any order for 
treatment of any kind whatever. Mean- 

137 



while, upon "my own hook," I smothered 
him with old-fashioned remedies outward- 
ly, like compresses of camphorated oil, 
turpentine, etc., which I knew, if doing no 
good, would at least do him no harm, and 
which had the soothing effect upon the 
lad of causing him to feel that something 
was being done for him. He suffered in- 
tensely when obliged to cough, as the inci- 
sinon in his side was still very tender. He 
seemed to be perfectly satisfied, however, 
that all was being done that could be, and 
remarked once while I was applying my 
greasy treatment to his chest, that he was 
glad I was doing that for he knew that if 
he were home, his mother would be doing 
that very thing. This was comforting to 
me, but I trembled lest the Doctor might 
take a notion to look him over, and find- 
ing him all dobbed up with grease create 
a scene, and order such foolish "coddling" 
of the patients be discontinued. It was the 
fourth day after ^Moor's operation, his cold 
was still very troublesome, though he de- 
clared the pain in his chest had ceased 
since I had begun to "grease" him, that 
in making the rounds of the ward with the 
big Major who was head of the Surgical 
Department at the hospital and who came 
through the wards once a week, that 
brought calamity upon my head in the 

138 



shape of the wrath of Lieut. Boggs. He 
was with the Major, and it was also the 
nurse's duty to accompany them upon 
their rounds. Upon approaching Moor's 
bed, whose occupant was at that moment 
suffering greatly from an attack of cough- 
ing, I took it upon myself to explain his 
case to the Major, seeing Dr. Boggs had no 
intention of doing so, there being indica- 
tions of passing by without a word of 
comment. I felt that if his case were ne- 
glected further it might prove very grave 
in the end. I realized to the fullest ex-, 
tent, the terrible and unpardonable breach 
of military tactics I displayed in speaking 
to an official of any rank over my superior 
officer's head, but as I was not, nor do I 
have any ambition to ever be, at all "mili- 
tary," and as I had twice called the at- 
tention of the Lieutenant in charge to the 
boy with no results, and as I was there to 
do what I could to help our boys, and as 
this boy's fate and life perhaps hung in 
the balance, I cared naught for the con- 
sequence myself, so I could get the major 
to see that the case was looked into and 
find out if the boy was in as serious a 
plight as I had feared. I know not why our 
doctor had so persistently neglected this 
boy for he seemed to take 4in interest (in 
his doleful way), in the cases under his 

139 



care, as a rule, and perhaps had I taken no 
notice of the lad, he would have taken up 
his case long ago. I scarce could help the 
interest I showed, for his helpless, fright- 
ened homesick condition, had enlisted my 
sympathies from the first. Perhaps for 
that very reason the doctor thought that 
I was making enough fuss over him, but 
any discerning person could see that he 
was in need of medical attention, as well as 
coddling. I believe a good doctor not only 
sees everything that is, but a great many 
things that are not. Until upon this oc- 
casion I had taken it for granted that Dr. 
Boggs, despite his morose disposition 
which was evident at all times, was at 
least, like so many doctors, a kind sympa- 
thetic person to whom a nurse might go 
in her anxieties concerning her patients, 
for had not a nurse who was about them 
so much, bathing, tending, and in many 
instances feeding them, and doing all those 
little things necessary to the comfort and 
well being of the sick, a much better 
chance to note any unusual symptoms 
which might at any moment develop, un- 
noticed by the physician whose observa- 
tions are confined to a hurried trip through 
the ward not of tener than three times dur- 
ing the day? 
An unsympathizing physician or nurse 

140 



is, to my mind, a person bereft of one of 
the most potent agencies of treatment, 
and of cure. He knows not the whole ex- 
tent of his art, when he recklessly neglects 
the marvelous influence of mind over body. 
A wise physician or nurse knows, I believe, 
that the best way to win from patients a 
full understanding of their case, is to se- 
cure their confidence by kindly, sincere, 
and sympathetic treatment. The Major 
examined the boy thoroughly, raised his 
eyebrows, and turning to Dr. Boggs asked, 
"How long has this boy's lung been affect- 
ed?" Lieut. Boggs stammered as he re- 
plied, "He was just operated on *sir* a day 
or so ago 'sir,' and hasn't gotten all the 
ether out of his lungs yet sir." 

"H'm, the Major grunted, he has a de- 
cided touch of pneumonia in the left lobe 
here; however, you did a good thing by 
poulticing as you have been doing, this, 
while he wiped the disc of his stethoscope 
on a piece of cotton to remove the grease. 
Just keep up the turpentine, and lard, and 
with a few curt orders concerning medi- 
cation, to "Lieut." Boggs, we passed on 
down the ward. 

A glance from Dr. Boggs' eye showed 
me that I had made an enemy and I won- 
dered in just what manner he would try 

141 



to "get even with me," should he be of a 
vengeful disposition. 

I felt I had done the best I could, and 
while I bore no ill will toward Lieut. 
Boggs, I did feel that he might have 
shown a little more concern in this matter. 

A few days after this incident, I receiv- 
ed a call to the Chief's office. 

I soon learned that I was, though hav- 
ing only a week left of service before it 
should be my turn to go to another ward, 
to be transferred to another ward at once ! 
I must leave my dear boys of whom I had 
grown so fond. The boys who had receiv- 
ed with such gratitude the pillows from 
my home friends, that I had toiled over 
like a mother over a family of sick babies. 
Each and every one had some character- 
istic winsome way about him, all felt to- 
ward me as toward a mother or elder sis- 
ter. Many were the little tokens of appre- 
ciation which had been showered upon me 
while there. 

I learned that Dr. Boggs had complained 
that I wearied him unnecessarily about 
the boys' conditions. The Chief had said 
"of course Miss Lee, we all know the 
reputation Lieutenant Boggs has of surli- 
ness and grouchiness, but it is best, where 
there is any dissatisfaction to separate 
the parties in the ward." I felt too bad to 

142 



cry. Not that I wanted to stay in his 
ward— why could he not have waited the 
few remaining days when my time would 
have been up to leave the ward, and not 
have taken such an unkind way about it? 
Well, he had his revenge ! 

I said nothing to the boys, just bade 
them good night, as usual, as I left the 
ward. But before the next day was over 
at my new ward, which was not far dis- 
tant, every mother*s son who could walk, 
creep or crawl or be wheeled in a chair, 
came over to my ward to tell me how sorry 
they were I had left them. In another 
fortnight "Moor, my pet patient himself, 
was wheeled over by one of the boys, and 
stayed in my ward and warmed by our 
fire as long as he could stay, before being 
called back to supper. 

Many precious little gifts to this day 
repose in my trunk and occasionally as I 
gaze upon them, bring back sweet memo- 
ries of the dear boys who were so anxious 
in their grateful hearts to show their ap- 
preciation of the little care and kindness 
it was our privilege to minister to them. 

Bits of crochet work from mothers and 
sisters, of boys, who, recounted their 
nurse's kindness to them in such glowing 
words that those at home sent tokei^s of 
regard to show their appreciation of the 

143 



care shown to their loved boys while ill 
away from home. A dainty cap from the 
Governor's wife in a Western state whose 
son lay ill so long in our ward ; pillow tops, 
handkerchiefs, bits of lace and no end of 
dainty cards and beautiful letters, lay in 
the box of keepsakes, whose worth, in af- 
fection and love, the rarest gift of all, can 
never be measured. 

I recall one stalwart fellow, who came 
shame-facedly toward me one day, holding 
in his hands a very long string of beads, 
saying that he had taken the first oppor- 
tunity of buying me a present, to show 
his appreciation of my kindness to him 
while he was sick. I felt a hesitancy in 
taking them, as I seldom wear beads, but 
not wishing to disappoint him, I thanked 
him kindly. The poor fellow had given 
several dollars in exchange for the beads, 
(the length of the string would have per- 
mitted the wrapping of them about my 
neck half a dozen times with enough left 
to go around my waist once, I think,) to 
an Indian who was going about the camp 
selling them, reaping a fat harvest from 
the boys whose only way of separating 
themselves and their pay was at the can- 
teen. 

It was reported later that the said In- 
dian was a German spy, finding out all he 

144 



couid about the hospital, while going about 
in the guise of an Indian peddler. He was 
found to have maps of the camp and hos- 
pital in his hat, and it was reported that 
he was shot in the town of A. I do not 
know how true this report was. But the 
sweetest gift to me of all, I think was a 
huge bunch of magnolia blossoms. We 
had had, in our ward No. 24, a very dear 
boy who had suffered with complications 
of ear trouble following measles. Shy, 
sweet-faced, large honest brown eyes, too 
young and gentle and sweet to be in train- 
ing to take the life of his fellow men ! So 
modest that he colored like a school girl 
when I washed him, and when I came to 
his feet which were very soiled and cold 
as ice, he did not seem to understand just 
what was happening. But when I turned 
the covers back just enough for both feet 
to be plumpped into the tub of warm suds, 
he raised his head, gave one look and sank 
back, burying his face in the pillow with 
the exclamation: "My dirty feet!" but 
when they were nicely dried and warm 
and comfortable he banished his timidity 
and said, "I feel so comfortable now, I 
never can show you how much I thank 
you Miss, but I hope I can sometime." 
Several months after this while sitting 
with a group of nurses under the trees in 

145 



the open air, in front of the large screen 
upon which the pictures of "Pershing with 
the Army in France" was to be shown in 
a short while, someone stole up in the twi- 
light and laid a wonderful bouquet of the 
large beautiful magnolia blossoms in my 
lap. The bunch was about as large as my 
arms could hold and everyone a perfect 
specimen. Not a word was spoken, neith- 
er did he stop to receive my thanks, but 
kept moving on and as I scanned his back 
closely in the quickly gathering dusk, I 
recognized Marks, of the "foot washing" 
and I prized his gift very highly, as I real- 
ized to what height he had climbed to ob- 
tain them. After the pictures I watched 
for him and going to him I told him how 
I appreciated his gift and the pleasure it 
had given me. There was a radiant smile 
on his face as he said : "It's nothing com- 
pared to what I*d like to do for you Miss, 
for I never will forget you." 

My thoughts were very pleasant as I 
wended my way back to our barracks 
across the wide stretch of ground that lay 
between, and my reflections ended with 
this exclamation, "God bless the brave 
lads, who without much thought of fear 
were preparing all these months to go and 
face machine gun fire, shot and shell, with- 
out a qualm, but who quailed at the 

146 



thought of having a woman wash their 
feet. 

Having espoused the cause of Christian- 
ity early in life, it was one of my chief 
desires to see all of my boys christians be- 
fore going upon the hazardous journey to 
a foreign land, from which so many of 
them should never return. So I made it a 
point as I felt it a duty, not to let any of 
the boys pass from the wards in which I 
attended them, without at some time dur- 
ing their stay, hearing words of earnest 
admonition to take the Saviour as their 
guide and helper for time and eternity. 
That He would prove an ever present help 
in time of need. I tried to impress upon 
their minds, that not their own deeds of 
sacrifice or bravery could save them, that 
nothing less than faith in Jesus' blood 
which was shed for the remission of sins, 
could make them safe. I heard some of 
the nurses expressing an idea, which seem- 
ed to become quite popular, that, the sac- 
rifice of giving their lives would save even 
the most desperate of the wicked and de- 
generate. It grieved me to have this er- 
roneous teaching promulgated among the 
boys, for if such were true, then there 
would be no need of a Saviour. But God's 
word says that our righteousness is as fil- 
thy rags, and that there is no name given 

147 



under heaven whereby we can be saved, 
but in and through the name of Jesus, and 
that faith in His blood alone can cleanse us 
from sin. 

I pointed out by the Bible, how that it 
was absolutely necessary for each soul to 
repent, and be born again, that is, to for- 
sake his sins and become a new creature in 
Christ, trusting in Jesus' blood alone to 
cleanse him from sin, and that he is then, 
and only then, fit to die and meet his God. 

After pointing out the truth as it is in 
God's word to the different groups that 
came and went, through those busy 
months, while going about the humble 
duties of bathing faces and hands, 
straightening bedclothes, beating up pil- 
lows or serving rations, etc., I could only 
pray the Father above, to water the seed 
sown, that it might be fruitful and not re- 
turn unto Him void. I believe that many 
of the boys gave their hearts to God in 
those days, for they promised almost to a 
man, to take the Saviour with them and 
live as He would have them live by His 
Grace. 



148 




CHAPTER XII 

Off Duty 

)T IS not the most pleasant task 
to recall the three weeks spent 
nursing the grippe and a 
frost-bitten foot, when there 
was so much to be done in the 
wards, but as I am recounting happenings 
as they occurred, I will have to put it all 
in. 

Meeting Captain Warren in the office 
one morning, after a painful night with 
the foot, I could not evade the close scru- 
tiny of his eyes. 

He arose upon my entrance, and cover- 
ing me with a glance remarked, "My dear 
girl, we shall have you laid up in a few 
days, if you do not take a few days off and 
rest yourself." "Miss Emmet is getting 
onto things now and can manage the ward 
alone for a few days." "Do be prudent, 
and do not let me have to add 'Nurse 
Lee* to my bouquet of patients." This 
advice was delivered in a paternal man- 
ner, by the elder surgeon in the ward I had 

149 



now been in for three weeks, a kind heart- 
ed gentleman, as unlike Lieut .Boggs as 
day is from night. From his kind solici- 
tude he seemed to consider me a frail 
young blossom, that needed much cherish- 
ing, instead of a small, but robust and 
healthy spinster, who had been knocking 
about the world for some thirty odd years. 
His advice had been offered by several 
persons for a week and refused by me with 
the obstinacy with which my sex is some- 
times so richly gifted. But the last few 
hours had developed several surprising in- 
ternal and external phenomena, which im- 
pressed upon me the fact that if I didn't 
make a masterly retreat very soon, I 
should tumble down somewhere and have 
to be borne ignominiously from the field. 
My head felt like a wooden bucket from 
the cold I had acquired, my feet had a ten- 
dency to cleave to the floor; the walls at 
times undulated in a most disagreeable 
manner; people looked unnaturally big, 
and the very bottles in the medicine case 
appeared to dance desisively before my 
eyes. Taking all these things into consid- 
eration, while blinking stupidly at Captain 
Warren, I resolved to retire gracefully, if 
I must ; so, with a valedictory to the boys, 
a private lecture to Miss Emmet, who was 
new in the ward, and a fervent wish that I 

150 



could take off my body and work in my 
soul, I mournfully ascended the steps to 
the conveyance which had been summoned 
to take me to the nurses* quarters, and 
nurse Lee was reported "off duty.'* 

For a day or two I managed to appear 
at meals; for: "The human grub' must 
eat till the butterfly is ready to break 
loose," and no one had time to carry food 
such a distance, while it was possible for 
me to go to it. Far be it from me to add 
another affliction or reproach to that en- 
during black soul the cook Sallie, for com- 
pared to her predecessor, she was a horn 
of plenty ; but I put it to any candid mind 
— is not the following bill of fare suscepti- 
ble of improvement, without plunging the 
nation madly into debt? The three meals 
were "pretty much of a sameness," and 
consisted of beef (when we had it) evi- 
dently put down for the men of '61 ; pork, 
just in from the woods, army bread, com- 
posed of sawdust and saleratus; butter 
three times a week, and salt as if churn- 
ed by Lot's wife ; stewed prunes, so much 
like preserved beetle.^, that only those de- 
void of imagination could partake thereof 
with relish; coffee, mild and muddy or 
strong and bitter, tea tasting like Senna 
tea, animated and unconscious to any ap- 
proach to clearness. Variety being the 

151 



spice of life, a small pinch of the article 
would have been appreciated by the hun- 
gry, hard working sisterhood ; one of 
whom, though accustomed to plain fare, 
soon found herself reduced to bread and 
water; having an inborn repugnance to 
the fat of the land, and the salt of the 
earth. 

It is only just to relate that this state 
of affairs lasted but a short time, in fact 
no longer than our neat, bonny and capa- 
ble dietitians arrived upon the scene. 
They took the culinary establishment in 
hand and worked such magic that no one 
would have believed it to be the same 
place a few weeks later. We were soon 
finding ourselves transplanted "as it were" 
from a bare Sodom and Gamorrah sort of 
place to a land "flowing with milk and 
honey." 

Very soon after leaving the ward, I dis- 
covered I had no appetite, and cut the 
bread and butter interests almost entire- 
ly, trying the exercise and sun cure instead 
but the lame foot handicapped the exer- 
cise, so I had to be contented by sitting 
upon my bed and occupying the time by 
reading, writing or knitting. I longed to 
get out and explore the woods and sur- 
rounding country, but my foot was so 
swollen and painful, I could not venture 

152 



far in a community one-half of whose 
male population seemed to be taking 
the other half to the guard house,^ 
but every morning I took a brisk run in one 
direction or another; for the February 
days were as mild as spring. Finally the 
foot getting no better at last balked and 
would not permit my using it at all. The 
surgeon who examined it suggested an 
operation, but not being in favor of such 
procedure, I took it in hand and began to 
poultice it myself, obeying the surgeon's 
injunction to keep off of it. With the help 
of several kind-hearted nurses, we soon 
brought it around to where I could hobble 
about on crutches. Our Chief being laid 
up at the same time from a fall on the ice, 
a fortnight previous to this gave us many 
a pleasant chat and visit together. 

But some of those days shut up in the 
dormitory with no voice, spirits or books, 
was not a holiday by any means. Finding 
meals a humbug, I stopped away altogeth- 
er, trusting that if this sparrow was of 
any worth, the Lord would not let it fall 
to the ground. Like a flock of friendly 
ravens, my sister nurses fed me, not only 
with food for the body, but kind words for 
the mind ; and soon from being half starv- 
ed, I found myself so be-teaed and be- 
toasted, petted and served, that I was 

153 



nearly killed with kindness, in spite of 
cough, headache, a painful consciousness 
of my pleura and pain in my swollen foot. 
Not being able these days to help in the 
care of fleshly bodies, arms and legs, I 
solaced myself by mending cotton ones, 
and as I sat sewing at my window, watch- 
ed the moving panorama that passed be- 
low ; amusing myself with taking notes of 
the most striking figures in it. Long 
trains of army trucks kept up a perpetual 
rumble from morning till night. Ambu- 
lances rattled to and fro with busy sur- 
geons or nurses taking an airing or con- 
valescents going to town or over to the 
camp. There were more mules here than I 
had ever expected existed, and they were 
my special delight; an hour's study of a 
constant succession of them introduced me 
to many of their characteristics; for in- 
stance, the coquettish mule had small feet, 
a nicely trimmed tassel of a tail, perked 
up ears, and seemed much given to little 
tosses of the head, affected skips and 
prances, and as if he wore the bells, he 
put on as many airs as any belle. The 
moral mule was a stout, hard-working 
creature, always tugging with all his 
might, often pulling away after the rest 
had stopped, laboring under the conscien- 
tious delusion that food for the entire 

154 



army depended upon his private exertions. 
I respected this style of mule, and had I 
possesed a juicy turnip, would have press- 
ed it upon him, with thanks for his excel- 
lent example. The pathetic mule was, 
perhaps, the most interesting of all; for 
though he always seemed to be the small- 
est, thinnest and weakest, he struggled 
feebly along, head down, coat muddy and 
rough, eye spiritless and sad, his very tail 
a mortified stump, and the whole beast a 
picture of meek misery, fit to touch a heart 
of stone. The jovial mule was a roly poly 
happy-go-lucky little piece of horse flesh, 
taking everything easily, from cudgelling 
to caressing ; strolling along with a roguish 
twinkle of the eye, and if the thing were 
possible would have had his hands in his 
pockets, and whistled as he went. If 
there ever chanced to be an apple-core, a 
stray carrot or wisp of hay in the gutter, 
this Happy Hooligan was sure to find it, 
and none of his mates seemed to begrudge 
him his bite. I suspected this fellow was 
the peacemaker, confidant and friend of 
all the others, for he had a sort of cheer- 
up-old-boy, I'U-pull-you-through" look, 
which was exceedingly engaging. 

But more interesting than officers, 
ladies, pigs or mules were my colored 
brothers and sisters, because so unlike 

155 



anything I had ever seen in the North. 
Here was the genuine article, (this side of 
Africa) . But the sort of creatures genera- 
tions of slavery had made them had never 
migrated from the spot where three gen- 
erations had been born, lived, died — their 
children had been born and lived, or exist- 
ed, I should say, trickish, lazy and ignor- 
ant, yet kind-hearted, merry tempered, 
quick to feel and accept the least token of 
the brotherly love which is slowly teach- 
ing the white hand to grasp the black, in 
this benevolent, broadening, fair-minded 
land of freedom. 

I had not been off duty a week coming 
in contact with the many and various 
sized servants about the nurses* home, 
with the neglected, "devil may care" ex- 
pression in many of the faces, till it seem- 
ed an urgent appeal to leave nursing white 
bodies, and take some care of these black 
souls. Much as the lazy boys and saucy 
girls tormented me, I liked them, and 
found that any show of interest or friend- 
liness brought out the better traits which 
live in the most degraded and forsaken of 
us all. 

Companies of soldier boys would pass 
my window marching, always marching, 
sometimes in the rain, their slickers glis- 
tening like silk, and their army shoes 

156 



soaked and despattered with mud. It was 
during these weeks that our camp was 
visited by an epidemic of that dreaded 
disease meningitis. A very strict quaran- 
tine was placed over the hospital, camp 
and the town of A — . No one was allow- 
ed to go or come and for one whole month 
all public gatherings were prohibited, even 
the Y. M. C. A. Hut was closed, where 
twice a week we attended services con- 
ducted by our able, kind-hearted chaplain, 
Lieut. Arnold. 

At the end of three weeks my foot com- 
ing on so nicely and all traces of the grippe 
having disappeared, I could not listen to 
the accounts of the busy times in the 
wards and remain away longer, so one day 
going to the Chief I asked permission to 
go back to work, and to be permitted to 
work in one of the wards for meningitis. 
This was on Thursday, and she told me I 
could not go to work before the following 
Monday A. M. I contented myself in the 
meantime by reading, and writing letters 
and on Sunday evening went with some 
other nurses for a stroll around the 
grounds, and along the railroad which was 
a favorite promenade. It was the last 
days of February, the air was balmy and 
spring-like, and grass was everywhere 
peeping out of the ground. The pine trees 

157 



which had never lost their fresh green 
color all through the winter looked beau- 
tiful in the sunlight, and the large beau- 
tiful palm leaves all through the woods, 
made it seem like paradise to one who had 
been cooped up inside for nearly ten days. 
I thanked the Dear Lord in my heart for 
permitting me to be able to be about again, 
enjoying the beauties of nature and the 
prospect of soon being back at my work 
where everyone was needed so badly. I 
was delighted on Monday A. M. when Miss 
Alberts, our Chief, assigned me to a con- 
valescent ward for meningitis. I was here 
one month and if I had longed for an op- 
portunity to "do things*' for the poor sick 
helpless boys before, my wants were grati- 
fied, for though this was a convalescent 
ward, scarcely one of the forty patients 
was able to walk or help himself. It was 
a most pitiful sight to behold, what had 
been strong stalwart men, reduced to a 
mere skeleton, with perhaps the loss from 
paralysis, of an arm or limb, or perhaps 
the hearing gone or eyes weak, and even 
blind in some cases. But I shall not dwell 
on, or go into details here, suffice it to say 
that many of these patients never left the 
ward and those who did after many weeks, 
were all wrecks of their former selves. 
When my month of work in this ward 
158 



was finished, it was by this time my turn 
at night duty, and it fell my lot to spend 
my first night duty in the meningitis ward 
proper. As I look back over that month's 
experience, it seemed one long nightmare 
of howling, screaming, cursing, swearing, 
moaning, groaning, suffering humanity. 
The only consolation was that they were 
delirious most of the time and knew 
naught of their sufferings. There were 
three nurses and three corps boys on duty 
through the night here, while a doctor 
spent his time between this and the con- 
valescent ward next door. We were all 
kept busy all of the night long for each 
patient seemed to be obsessed in his deli- 
rium with a desire to promenade through 
the ward, so it was necessary for each at- 
tendant as well as the nurses to keep vigi- 
lant watch at all times to keep them in 
their beds. 

We lived in isolation during this month, 
and tents were put up in the rear of the 
nurses' home for those working in these 
wards. My tentmate was a lovable, sweet 
natured girl from Boston, Massachusetts. 
All the girls in isolation loved to come to 
our tent, as we had it fixed up so cozy and 
home-like. A soldier boy started fires in 
the little funnel shaped stoves in all of the 
tents in the mornings, and when we arose 

159 



it was warm and comfortable in each tent. 
I enjoyed life in our little tent more than 
in the dormitory. We even had electric 
lights with a rose shade! Our shoe rack 
was made of stout cord fastened to the 
board wall with nails and we even had 
pictures on the wall and rugs on the floor. 
The month soon flew by, the terrible epi- 
demic abated, quarantine was lifted and 
we were all happy once more. I have 
come to believe that the majority of peo- 
ple are compelled to find happiness as best 
they may, in doing what they cannot al- 
together help, and in choosing what ap- 
pears to be the lesser of two evils, though 
it may ultimately turn out a real good. 
While others who always seem to have 
their own way, in everything, as aids for 
procuring their own happiness, oftener 
fail in doing so, than those for whom des- 
tiny seems to have marked out their 
course of life. 

By the time the little tents were vacated 
the new nurses' home, which had been in 
process of construction for weeks, was 
completed and I will confess that it was, 
with a real pang of regret, that I moved 
from the dear little tent that had grown 
to be such a cozy home, even to a lovely 
room in the new barracks. I was very 
happy over the room which was assigned 

160 



CD 



(X) 

>-i 
CD 

O) 

05 
O 
<rt- 
(t> 



a' 
o 



CD 
CO 






U2 

a> 

CfQ 
CD 



CO 




to me, however, as it looked out upon the 
front veranda, and from my window I 
could see away down the road, past the 
"old home" through the woods, toward the 
camp. At night when Taps was blown, 
the sound wafted on the air through the 
woods was thrilling and impressive. In 
the morning the revilee at the camp two 
miles away could be heard through the 
woods as plainly almost as the "Can't get 
'em up" of our own hospital bugler. 

As spring passed and summer came on, 
our work grew lighter, and it was then 
our Chief advised all who wished to take 
a short vacation to do so, while they could 
easily be spared from duty. 

It was during the spring months here, 
that I first beheld the beautiful sweet bay 
blossoms, and the bloom from the majes- 
tic magnolia tree. Some of the blossoms 
were large as dinner plates. On our hours 
off duty the nurses enjoyed strolling in 
the woods, where wild flowers abounded, 
and the green of the foliage seemed a love- 
lier green than I had ever beheld before. 
The place abounded in pretty scenery. 
There were many picnic parties, and trips 
to the bathing beach, twenty miles away, 
so we never lacked for amusement and re- 
creation when off duty those days. Horse 

161 



back riding was very popular among those 
who cared for it. 

During the latter part of the summer 
the Governors of three states came to re- 
view the troops at the camp, before they 
were to be sent overseas. Permission was 
given to as many nurses as happened to 
have the hours off, to go over to the camp 
and enjoy the impressive ceremonies. I 
happened to be among the lucky number. 
An ambulance came for us at the appoint- 
ed time, we had reserved seats very near 
the Governors, and their staffs, and I shall 
never forget the impressions of that day 
as long as I live. Before the troops came 
by we had ample opportunity to study the 
distinguished members of the party of 
Governors near us. The much bebraided, 
betasselled and beploomed officers, looked 
like they might have stepped out of some 
book about Knighthood of olden times. 
The Governors themselves were plainly 
dressed except for the high silk hats worn 
by two of them ; the other one wearing a 
plain fedora, but looking as much the gen- 
tleman as his silk hatted companions. 

As the boys came marching by, each 
regfiment was led by its own band, and I 
never expect to see again upon this earth 
such an impressive sight. Fifty thousand 
strong, our dear lads marched by, many 

162 



of them had been sick under our very care,, 
all looking so manly and fine, marching in 
perfect step to the music of their band. 
As we realized what it all meant, our 
hearts were very sad, so many of those 
manly forms would remain in foreign 
lands, and after sailing so bravely away 
would never more return. 

My ward next day was honored by a 
visit from the very Governors themselves, 
who were making a tour of the hospital 
in company with the Commanding officer. 

I was surprised, that the Governor I had 
met on the train, on my way to camp, 
should remember my face, but he did, and 
was very cordial as he offered some com- 
plimentary remark concerning the appear- 
ance of the ward, and the patients therein. 
Once during the summer we had a talk at 
the nurses' home from the big General in 
command of the camp; who had just re- 
turned from France. This was the one 
and only occasion I ever heard of this dis- 
tinguished gentleman honoring our hospi- 
tal with his presence. 

In August a dear friend, another nurse 
and myself went for a ten days outing 
down to the Gulf. It being only a little 
over one hundred miles away it was not 
much of a iourney, but we enjoyed every 
moment of the trip. The semi-tropical 

163 



sun which had poured down with such in- 
tense heat over the camp, seemed to grow 
shades less warm as we neared the Gulf. 
The shady, cool palm drives, and lovely 
drives and walks along the gulf coast with 
a trip to Lake Champlain, Boloxi and Pass 
Christian, the salt breeze putting new life 
into our tired bodies, made new people of 
us, so when we returned after our brief 
outing, we took up work again with new 
zest. 

All summer long the letters from my 
sister in Washington, gave interesting ac- 
counts of the Government Hospital being 
enlarged, and equipped for the many pa- 
tients being brought back from overseas, 
hospitals, that put a great desire in my 
heart, to visit my Nation's Capital, and 
lend a hand at helping care for those of 
our boys who had come back sick, maimed 
and wounded, from the battle fields. My 
sister's presence in Washington was also 
a magnet drawing me, so I set about get- 
ting a Government transfer from the 
Southern Base to the Hospital in Wash- 
ington. My friend and Pal, Miss Bates, 
declared if I left the camp she would go 
too, so when we returned from our vaca- 
tion our transfer was already made out 
for the middle of September. 



164 




CHAPTER XIII 

A Unique Experience 

I HE last two weeks stay at the 
Southern Base Hospital were 
memorable indeed. My work 
during this time was in a 
ward for colored soldiers, and 
I would not have missed this experience, 
unique and varied, and so different from 
anything I had ever experienced, for all 
the other experiences put together. My 
first entrance upon this field of work was, 
I will admit, with a mind filled with some 
misgivings, and temerity, and I may say 
that it was with a feeling akin to repug- 
nance that I entered the ward the first day 
and beheld two long rows of beds, each 
containing a dusky visaged occupant, 
whose black face against the white pil- 
lows, recalling a picture I have seen some- 
where, of a black urchin in the middle of a 
large bed, whose little black face stood out 
in relief against the huge white pillows 
behind it, and, underneath the words, *'far 
from the maddening crowd." 

165 



Here were faces resembling all species 
of the hairy tribe, from the Gorilla down. 
But after working among them for a short 
while, I soon learned that they too were 
just a lot of sick, helpless, pitiful human- 
ity, more touching in their helplessness 
and if such a thing could be, even more 
grateful and appreciative for the least 
kindness shown them, or thought taken for 
their comfort. 

There were thirty patients in the ward, 
and though as I have said, we had all sorts 
of peculiar visaged ones, there were also 
some fine specimens of their race, but all 
were humble, meek and lowly, and almost 
to a man, very religious. It was very in- 
teresting to listen to them at times. Those 
who were able ate their meals at a large 
table on the porch at the end of the ward. 
They never partook of their meal without 
first returning thanks to their Heavenly 
Father for His many blessings, amidst the 
hardships of hospital life. The prayers 
ivhich poured forth from those dusky 
throats were wonderful to hear. On Sun- 
day and Wednesday there was preaching, 
for among the patients was one Reverend 
Johnson, who was a convalescent and 
preached to the boys who were able to go 
out to the porch where the meetings were 
held. I never had the opportunity of at- 

166 



tending any of these meetings, as it took 
place after the day's work was over in the 
ward, but if the sermons were delivered 
with the same unction and fervor that 
his prayers were, then it must have been 
a treat indeed to hear him. 

There are those who think meanly of 
prayer, and never bow the knee to the 
giver of all good from one year's end to 
another. Such persons would do well to 
imitate our lowly brethren, who in many 
instances show more of that humble 
Christ-like piety than many so-called 
Christians of the higher races. They 
sometimes ask, "what profit should we 
have if we pray to the Almighty?" Job 
21-15. The true answer is, "much every 
way" for 

*'There is an eye that never sleeps, 

Beneath the wings of night; 
There is an ear that never shuts 

When sink the beams of light. 

There is an arm, that never tires 
When human strength gives way; 

There is a love that never fails 
When earthly loves decay. 

That eye is fixed on seraph throngs, 

That arm upholds the sky ; 
That ear is filled with Angel songs ; 

That love is throned on high. 
167 



But there's a power which man can wield 

When mortal aid is vain ; 
That eye, that ear, that love to reach ; 

That listening ear to gain. 

That power is Prayer, which soars on high 
Through Jesus, to the throne; 

And moves the hand which moves the 
world. 
To bring salvation down. 

It was the desire of one and all of the 
colored brethren to possess a New Testa- 
ment, so one day I walked over to the Y. 
M. C. A. and asked the man in charge for 
some testaments for our ward. Having 
about a dozen on hand, for distribution 
among the soldiers, he gave them to me, 
and returning to the ward, I presented 
them to those who seemed most desirous 
of obtaining one. They were delighted, 
and asked me to write their names in each 
man's book, for many of them could neith- 
er read nor write. 

At mealtime, one day, shortly after this, 
I missed one of the most devout brethren, 
and of course a search was instigated at 
once, when just as Parson Johnson had 
finished saying grace, in rushed Riley, 
panting and out of breath from his en- 
deavor to get back to the ward before be- 
ing missed. Upon inquiry as to where he 

168 



had been, this was his reply : "You knows 
Miss, dat black rascal whut done slept 
next to me, he done gone back to camp 
s'mon'i'n?" "Well dat good-fo'-nothin' ras- 
cal, he done stole ma testament." "I jes' 
caught him in time." "He wuz right in 
the act of goin' off in de amb-lance. "He 
done see's me, comin,' and reaches ma' 
book to me fo any dem Lef'tenants sees 
what I cum fo." "So I jes lets him alone, 
and cum on back to ma' ainnah." And 
with a broad grin and a hearty slap on his 
breast pocket, he added, "But I'se all right 
I'se got ma' test'ment agin." 

We had one very peculiar specimen in 
this ward. I was for some days a little in 
awe of him ; as he would neither talk, eat, 
lie down, or sleep. But sat staring stolid- 
ly into space, like some huge statue of a 
Gorilla. His expressionless eyes looked 
straight ahead, without one iota of emo- 
tion or interest in his surroundings, even 
though corps boys, patients, doctors, and 
all around him, tried by every persuasive 
means to obtain some inkling of notice 
from him. I thought to catch him off his 
guard, by preparing his food with care 
and delicacy and serving it to him as 
though he were a king, but to no purpose. 
He sat indifferent to all appeals, baffling 
the doctors, a sight pitiful enough to touch 

169 



a heart of stone. He was taken away 
later to a psychopathic ward, and I never 
learned what befell him afterward. 

There were three Northern nurses work- 
ed in this ward, some of the Southern girls 
thought it degrading to serve and wait 
upon the colored race, and flatly refused 
to be placed in the ward for them. I soon 
come to feel that it was just as important 
and ennobling a task to care for and help 
those poor pitiful creatures, as to care for 
the white men, and indeed in many in- 
stances the blacks seemed superior in gen- 
tle kindness and tender thoughtfulness to- 
ward one another, than some of the white 
fellows. 

I cared for them at first with some such 
feeling as I might have shown toward a 
ward full of Newfoundland dogs, or black 
bears, but I soon come to feel that they 
were human souls, though black outward- 
ly, many of them were as "white" inside, 
whose acts were as kindly and christian 
as any race of any color. 

When it came time for my departure 
from this ward, some of the sick boys 
heard I was going away to "Washington,**^ 
and there were tears of sincere sorrow in 
their eyes as they said good bye, and told 
me they were sorry I was going away. I 
felt their gratitude and their sorrow at 

170 



my departure was as great a compliment 
as one could have wished. I told them if 
we never met here, I hoped we would meet 
again in the "Sweet bye and bye," and I 
was sincere in saying it. 

I many times resolve, by the Grace of 
God, upon a determination to keep stead- 
ily in view the existence of a future state, 
where all pure in heart and good people, 
as well as our friends and loved ones have 
gone, a consideration which bears in its 
consequences upon every iota of our ac- 
tions, believing that our every act has 
vast influence over our moral undertak- 
ings, and of which I acknowledge myself 
many times, wickedly forgetful. 

Having spent much prayer over the 
matter of changing my location, there 
seemed no hindrance to the move, so in 
company with my friend. Miss Bates, I 
took my departure from the camp hospital 
on September 9, 1918, having spent just 
nine months at the Base Hospital in the 
South. 



171 




CHAPTER XIV 

A Pleasant Journey. 

lO describe our pleasant three 
days journey from the South- 
land, up to the Eastern city, 
where the Nation's capital 
sits in smiling repose, would 
be to write another story, so I will not at- 
tempt it at this time. We met many con- 
genial travelers, for it being war time, 
people were going to their different fields 
of action, for the pursuance of their var- 
ious duties. A regiment of soldiers to 
Camp Meade in Maryland, a crowd of 
Aviators from a flying field in Florida, be- 
ing mustered to the coast, thence on over- 
seas, from whence I can but hope they all, 
but fear many never returned. Nurses 
going to their various fields of duty. Gov- 
ernment clerks hastening to Washington 
to take their place among the throngs of 
those patriotic souls already there, doing 
their bit in the thousands of offices, and 
helping on the country's need at this time 
as best they could. 

172 



Upon arriving in Washington, and find- 
ing the hospital to which we were going, 
situated ten miles from the city, we de- 
cided it was a good time to see something 
of the place we had heard so many won- 
derful and glowing accounts of, since 
childhood, and this day being sort of a 
holiday, between giving up our old work 
and assuming the duties at the new hos- 
pital and anxious to see the sister I had 
not seen for nine long busy months, we 
took a car and visited many places of note 
during the day, toward evening, when she 
should be at leisure, driving out to sister 
Ruth's place of abode. After a happy 
repast together she accompanied us to the 
hospital where we were to pursue our 
duties as Army nurses as long as our 
country had need of us. 

The chief nurse, a tall gray-haired wo- 
man from Canada, greeted us cordially, 
and assigned us to our quarters in Bar- 
racks No. 1, a handsome brick structure 
whose luxuriously furnished interior seem- 
ed to us a palace, coming as we had from 
the crude temporary building at the camp. 

An incident occured while visiting the 
capital building the day before, which I 
will relate here. 

My colleague, a girl twice the avoirdu- 
pois of myself, decided after traveling 

173 



over what seemed miles of stone corridor, 
to await the crowd at the foot of one of 
the massive stone stairs, after resting 
there a bit to rejoin us again as we came 
that way. The crowd of sightsee'rs forg- 
ed on, up the stair, following the guide 
who was busily engaged in giving an in- 
teresting account of all points of interest, 
as he pointed them out to us. We had 
gone through Senate Chamber, House of 
Representatives, down another stair and 
corridor through Statuary Hall when I 
discovered to my dismay, that we were 
leaving the building and my friend. Miss 
Bates, was not in the party. I spoke to 
the driver on reaching the car and he, 
kindly gentleman that he was, suggested 
while another man drove the remainder 
of the party to the Congressional Library 
(which was a short distance) to return 
with me to the capital to search for the 
one "numbered amongst the missing." We 
retraced the ground we had covered in our 
earlier rounds, from garret to basement, 
but Miss Bates was nowhere to be seen. 
I begun to picture myself going on life's 
journey alone, while she languished until 
life became extinct in some one of these 
numerous stone grottoes of which the Cap- 
ital seemed so full. After we were thoro- 
ughly convinced that she was no where in 

174 



the building, at least not visible to the eye 
of flesh, we gave up and I, very sad at 
heart,, worried and perplexed, accompan- 
ied the guide back to the Library, where 
upon reaching, the first person I laid eyes 
on was the smiling, happy countenance of 
Miss Bates, awaiting me at the entrance. 
We had quite a laugh over the episode, 
though a few moments before it had ap- 
peared very alarming to me. She had got- 
ten tired waiting at the stairs, for of course 
we never came back that way, and had 
strolled on over to the Library which was 
the next stop. 

My assignment to duty the next day 
was in the main building, a large brick, 
which was one of the original buildings of 
this Government Hospital, which had been 
in existence as a home for sick soldiers 
since the Civil War. This was a very 
handsome building, thoroughly equipped 
with all conveniences that modem inven- 
tion could produce. Hardwood floors, pol- 
ished so slick that one was in danger of 
injury at any time from a fall, woodwork 
and beds of a snowy appearance, windows 
polished till they shone like diamonds. 

The long clean and airy wards were fully 
appreciated by Nurse Lee coming from 
wards with tar-like oil all over the floors, 
which clung to the shoes, leaving a grease 

175 



spot wherever one set their foot. As I 
watched the proceedings, I recalled my 
former tribulations, and contrasted the 
two hospitals in a way that would have 
caused my summary dismissal from 
the former had it been known earlier. 
Here order, method, common sense and 
liberality seemed to rule in a style that did 
one's heart good to see. While at the 
camp, in some of the wards, disorder, dis- 
comfort and bad management reduced 
things to a condition which I despair 
of describing. The presiding genius 
over this particular department was an 
"Army Nurse" of several generations. 
Like so many of these long suffering indi- 
viduals, the years spent in keeping a mili- 
tary establishment up to the mark, had 
seemingly dried up all milk of human kind- 
ness, that ever had existed, and rendered 
a being almost mechanical in precision, 
with no mercy for man, woman, or beast, 
if such contended with the strict and for- 
mal rules and regulations of Army life; 
until the boys expression of "hard boiled" 
became in some instances, very appro- 
priate. Deliver me from the possibility of 
ever becoming a hard tyranical, unsympa- 
thetic "Military" woman ! The work here 
was very interesting. Being a department 
of bone surgery, we had to do with hun- 

176 



dreds of cases of bone defection, the pa- 
tients coming to our department for exam- 
ination, correction, etc., from all over the 
hospital, as well as the surrounding camps 
of Meade, Meggs and Fort Myer. 

There were two very high classed bone 
specialists here, which were the surgeons 
who did the largest bulk of the bone 
work. Major B. from New York State 
and Capt. R. from Massachusetts. The 
whole morning was given to dressing 
wounds, the work sometimes being contin- 
ued into the afternoon. It wasn't a fes- 
tive scene, by any means. For Major B. 
whose aid I was constituted, fell to work 
with a vigor which soon convinced me that 
I was a weaker vessel, though nothing 
would have induced me to confess it then. 

He had served in the Spanish-American 
war, and seemed to regard a dilapidated 
body very much as I should have regarded 
a damaged garment ; and slipping into his 
gown, whipped open a very unpleasant 
looking case of instruments, cutting, saw- 
ing, patching and piercing with the enthu- 
siasm of an accomplished surgical seam- 
stress; explaining the process, in scienti- 
fic terms, to the patient, meantime, which 
of course, was immensely cheering, and 
comfortable. There was an uncanny sort 

177 



of fascination in watching him as he peer- 
ed and probed into the mechanism of those 
wonderful bodies, whose mysteries he un- 
derstood so well. 

The more intricate the wound, the bet- 
ter he liked it. A poor private with both 
legs off and shot through the lungs, pos- 
sessed more attractions for him than half 
a dozen Generals slightly scratched in 
some "masterly retreat," and had any one 
appeared in small pieces requesting to be 
put together again, he would have consid- 
ered it a special dispensation. 

Major B. was a capital surgeon and a 
kindly man, though I sometimes feared 
his profession blunted his sensibilities, and 
perhaps rendered him indifferent to the 
sight of pain. He was not wilfully hard 
or cruel, but through long acquaintance 
with many of the ills flesh is heir to, had 
acquired a somewhat trying habit of re- 
garding a man and his wound as separate 
institutions, and seemed rather annoyed 
that the former should express any opin- 
ion upon the latter, or claim any right in 
it, while under his care. He had a way, 
after a bandage was removed, of giving a 
limb a comprehensive sort of clutch, which 
though no doubt entirely scientific, was 
rather startling than soothing and highly 

178 



objectionable as a means of preparing 
nerves for any painful ordeal. He some- 
times expected the patient to assist in 
small operations, as he termed them, and 
to restrain all demonstrations during the 
process. "Here, my boy, just hold it this 
way, while I look into it a bit," he said one 
day to a little sergeant, putting a wounded 
arm into the keeping of a sound one, and 
proceeding to poke about among bits of 
bone, and the visible muscles in a red and 
black chasm, made by some infernal ma- 
chine of the shot and shell description. 

Poor Davis held on like grim death, 
ashamed to show fear before a woman, till 
it grew more than he could bear in silence, 
and, after a few smothered groans, he 
looked at me imploringly, as if to say, "I 
wouldn't ma'am, if I could help it," and 
fainted quietly away. 

The Major looked up, gave a compas- 
sionate sort of cluck and prodded away 
more busily than ever, with a nod at me 
and a brief — "never mind" "be so good as 
to hold this till I finish." I obeyed, cher- 
ishing the while a strong desire to insin- 
uate a few of his own disagreeable knives 
and scissors into him, and see how he 
liked it. A very disrespectful and ridicu- 
lous fancy of course, for he was doing all 

179 



that could be done, and the arm prospered 
finely in his hands. 

But the human mind is prone to preju- 
dice, and though a personable man, speak- 
ing French like a born "Parla Voo," and 
whipping off legs like an animated guillo- 
tine, I must confess to a sense of relief 
when he was ordered overseas, and sus- 
pect that several of the boys would have 
faced a Hun battery with less trepidition 
than they did Major B. when he came 
briskly in on his morning round. 

As if to give us the pleasure of a con- 
trast. Captain R. succeeded him, who, I 
think suffered more in giving pain than 
did his patient in enduring it, for he often 
paused to ask : "Do I hurt you ?" and see- 
ing his solicitude, the boys invariably an- 
swered "not much, go ahead doctor," 
though the lips that uttered this aimable 
fib might be white with pain as they spoke. 

Over the dressing of some of the wounds 
we used to carry on conversations upon 
subjects foreign to the work in hand, that 
the patient might forget himself in the 
charms of our discourse. 

Hallowe'en was spent in this way: The 
Captain strapping the little sergeant's 
arm, I holding the extension light, while 
all three laughed and talked as if any- 

180 



where but in a hospital ward, except when 
the chat was broken by a long "oh !" from 
the Sergeant, an abrupt request from the 
doctor to, "hold the light a little higher 
please," or an encouraging "most through 
sergeant," from Nurse Lee. 



isi 




CHAPTER XIV 
Influenza 

^BOUT this time my days were 
saddened by the departure of 
my friend, Miss Bates, to 
Camp H. which being swooped 
down upon by a violent epi- 
demic of Influenza, and having a shortage 
of nurses, was reinforced by twenty of our 
nurses, Miss Bates being among them. 

After the epidemic subsided she was 
sent on overseas, and though we have kept 
up a regular correspondence, I have noT 
seen her since her return from France, but 
continually look forward to our meeting 
once more and a happy visit together 
some time in the future. 

It was well for me that my days were 
so filled with work, for it lessened, per- 
haps, the lonliness of her absence. I should 
have said nights, rather than days per- 
haps, for I went on night duty in a ward 
of Influenza patients, and being the only 
nurse, with two attendants in a ward of 
fifty and a greater part of the time sixty 

182 



men, sick enough to die, was not conduc- 
tive to a habit of spending much time be- 
moaning the departure of a friend, be she 
ever so necessary to one's happiness. Even 
when off duty, there was little time to 
spend in thought, for weary from the long 
strenuous night in the ward, the shining 
hours were taken up by sleep, that great 
restorer of tired and weary bodies, until 
it was time to go on again. 

JBut being fond of the night side of na- 
ture, "night duty" was one of my special- 
ties during training, so here I had an ex- 
cellent opportunity for indulging in my 
favorite pastime of "owling" with all the 
horros and thrills imaginable accompany- 
ing it, to my heart's content. 

My ward was divided into three parts, 
two rooms and a very long porch, where 
those cases having a tendency toward 
pneumonia were placed. 

Wherever the sickest or most helpless 
man chanced to be, there I held my watch, 
when not busily engaged upon the afore- 
mentioned charts, which required an 
alarming amount of one's time and which 
I begrudged them every moment spent 
thereon. I often visited the other rooms 
to see that the general watchman or corps 
boys were doing their duty, and not asleep 

183 



and to get fresher air than the rooms 
sometimes afforded. 

One of the harmless ghosts, who bore 
me company during the haunted hours 
here, was Andrews, my colleague and 
corps man, whom I regarded with a cer- 
tain awe; for though so much together, I 
never fairly saw his face, and, but for his 
legs, should never have recognized him, as 
we seldom met by day. His little round 
head set upon as it were a pair of very long 
legs, gave me the idea of a preambulating 
clothespin, for his body being short ro- 
tund, and done up in a grey army sweater, 
helped to complete one's imaginative pro- 
pensity toward this conclusion. The col- 
lar to his sweater hid the lower part of his 
face, his hat brim the upper, and all I ever 
discovered was a pair of sleepy eyes, and a 
very mild voice. 

Another goblin who appeared to me, 
was the other faithful attendant, who be- 
ing a kind-hearted soul, was often attend- 
ing two or three men at a time, weak and 
wandering as babies, after the fever had 
gone. When not thus engaged, the aim- 
able creature beguiled the watches of the 
night, by brewing jorums of a harmless, 
but nauseating beverage he called cocoa, 
and insisted on sharing with me. 

Overtaking me with a great bowl of 

184 



something resembling mud soup, rich in an 
all-pervading flavor of molasses and 
scorched milk. Such an amount of good 
will, and neighborly kindness also went in- 
to the mess, that I never could find the 
heart to refuse, but always received it with 
thanks and hypocritically whipped it into 
the sink at the first opportunity, the m- 
stant he departed. It was a strange life- 
asleep half the day, exploring the sur- 
roundings the other half, and all night 
hovering like a massive cherubim, in a red 
sweater, over the slumbering sons of men. 
The snores alone, were quite a study, vary- 
ing from the mild snif to the stentorian 
snort, which startled the echoes and hoist- 
ed the performer erect to accuse his neigh- 
bor of the deed, magnanimously forgive 
him, and wrapping the drapery of his 
couch about him, lie down to vocal slum- 
ber, 

I would have given much to have pos- 
sessed the art of sketching from life, for 
many of the faces became wonderfully in- 
teresting when unconscious. 
-_Often the roughest grew young and 
pleasant when sleep smoothed the lines 
away, letting the real nature assert itself ; 
many almost seemed to speak and I learn- 
ed to know these men better by night than 
through any intercourse by day. A few 

185 



talked busily and one young boy sang 
sweetly, though no persuasions could win 
a note from him by day, and several de- 
pended upon being told what they had 
talked of in the morning. 

Sentinels tramped round us all night 
long, their rifles glittering in the Autumn 
moonlight, as they walked or stood before 
the doors, straight and silent, as figures 
of stone. 

Wandering up and down these lower 
rooms (for ours was a two-story building, 
there being the same proportioned ward 
upstairs) I often heard cries from above, 
steps hurrying to and fro, saw surgeons 
passing up, or men coming down carrying 
a stretcher, where lay a long white figure, 
whose face was shrouded and whose fight 
was done. 

An incident which occurred about this 
time shows how the pathetic and comic 
went hand in hand that one sometimes 
stopped and wondered at the seeming cal- 
lousness of life. 

I had taken my station by a Virginia 
boy whose fever was higher than usual 
this night, his eyes restless, his head never 
still. It was after midnight, the "0. D." 
had made his rounds, the corps boy had 
watched by his bed while I had taken a 

186 



few bites of refreshment and had now 
gone to his supper at the mess hall, and 
as I sat by my patient, trying to soothe 
his poor distracted brain by a constant ap- 
plication of wet towels to his burning fore- 
head, he was slowly wearying himself in- 
to fitful intervals of quietude, when in one 
of these pauses, a curious sound arrested 
my attention. Looking up I saw a one- 
legged phantom hopping nimbly down the 
room, and going to meet it I recognized a 
big athlete from New Hampshire, who had 
lost one limb at Chatteau Thierry and 
whose fever had taken a turn for the 
worse, and set him literally tripping on 
the light, fantastic toe "toward home" as 
he blandly informed me, touching his hat 
in a military manner, said hat forming a 
striking contrast to the severe simplicity 
of the rest of his undress uniform. Bal- 
ancing himself on one leg, like a medita- 
tive stork, he plunged into an animated 
discussion of the war, the Kaiser, French 
wines and Enfield rifles, regardless of any 
suggestions of mine, as to the propriety 
of returning to bed. 

Anything more supremely ridiculous can 
hardly be imagined than this figure, pa ja- 
ma suit of striped black and white, the 
empty leg dangling limply, its one foot 
covered with a big brown sock, a dingy 

187 



hat sat rakishly askew on its head, and 
placid satisfaction beaming in his coun- 
tenance, as it flourished a granite cup in 
one hand, an old shoe in the other, calling 
them mess kit and canteen, while it 
skipped and fluttered in the most unearth- 
ly fashion. What to do with the fellow I 
didn't know; Andrews was still at supper, 
and if I went to find him the preambula- 
tor might festoon himself out of the win- 
dow, set himself on fire, or do some of his 
neighbors a mischief. The other attend- 
ant was sleeping like the "Rock of Gibral- 
tar," and nothing short of pins would 
rouse him. 

Still declaiming, in a fine flow of elo- 
quence, the demented gentleman hopped 
on, blind and deaf to my graspings and en- 
treaties, and I was about to slam the door 
in his face and run for help when a second 
and saner phantom came to the rescue, in 
the person of a big Russian, who spoke no 
English, but devined the crisis, and put an 
end to it by bundling the lively monaped 
into his bed, like a baby, with an authori- 
tative command to "stay put," which re- 
ceived added weight by being delivered in 
an odd conglomeration of Russian and 
French accompanied by warning wags of a 
head decorated with a gray outing flannel 
night cap with an imposing peak at the 

188 



top, like the hood of a Monk. Rather ex- 
hausted by his exertions, the one time 
athlete subsided, and after an irrepressible 
laugh together, though unable to under- 
stand a word of each other's speech, my 
Russian ally and myself returned to our 
places and if not quiet, at least peace 
reigned throughout the ward the remaind- 
er of the night. 



139 




CHAPTER XV 

Another Phase of War 

sHERE was plenty of variation 
in the work at this hospital, 
for though I had expected 
when entering the army, to 
occupy my time in nursing 
sick soldiers only, I found myself not long 
after this acting as night special nurse to 
one of my own unfortunate sisters of the 
profession, who had entered the Red 
Cross nursing service at one of the South- 
ern Base Hospitals, and being of a high- 
strung nervous temperament, had in try- 
ing to adjust herself to the unnatural and 
strenuous conditions surrounding Army 
life, lost her mental balance and had been 
sent to the large Government hospital at 
Washington for treatment, and it was 
hoped she would regain once more her 
mental efficiency and be able to return to 
her Western home. 

I had what I considered some nerve- 
racking experiences during the two 
weeks attendance upon this patient 

190 



through the long watches of the night 
alone, for it happened the night I took 
up my first watch with her, she was moved 
from the room in the officers' ward, 
where other nurses were on duty and 
other patients could be seen occasionally, 
to a building quite remote from the other 
part of the hospital, occupied by doctors 
offices during the day time but silent and 
tomb-like as the grave through the long 
hours of the night. Our only neighboring 
building being the psychopathic ward, did 
not add to the cheerfulness of the place by 
any means, for all through the doleful 
hours of the night could be heard the 
moans and hideous shrieks of the dement- 
ed unfortunates who were imprisoned 
therein. 

To add to the gloom of that first night 
with an insane patient, I was hailed and 
greeted by some of my fellow nurses as I 
met them coming off duty as I was going 
on, by such remarks as the following: 
**Good bye Nurse Lee,I sure would hate 
to be in your shoes," and Oh ! Miss L. she 
has been simply terrible today, no one 
could manage her, nearly killed Miss B. 
etc. Such remarks were not the most en- 
couraging or comforting to one who had 
as yet had very little dealings with insane 
people aside from a few D.Ts., D.Fs. and 

191 



neurasthenics on different occasions 
throughout my nursing career. But screw- 
ing up my courage to the top notch and 
calling upon my Friend above to see me 
through, I took hold of the situation and 
finally came out vict^jrious I believe, for 
from the first the patient seemed to form 
a liking for me, in her more rational mo- 
ments, and till the day I parted company 
with her seemed to manifest great confi- 
dence in what I did and said, though my 
first night with her she nearly frightened 
the wits out of me. 

The only person inhabiting our lonely 
exile through the night time was a night 
sergeant who slept in an office quite a dis- 
tance from our room down the corridor. 
I was to call him should I have need of 
help at any time during the night. I 
grimly consoled myself with the thought 
that this woman who was thrice my size 
would have time to scalp, tar and feather 
me had she so chosen, ere my cries could 
awaken my valliant protector from the 
stentorian echoes resounding throughout 
the building which issued from his door. 
The only mirror of any size our suite had 
access to was in a bathroom some twelve 
yards down the hall, necessitating much 
travel back and forth a good part of the 
time, for like some more of her sex who 

192 




The place abounded in pretty scenery. 
See page 161. 




The place abounded in pretty scenery. 
See page 161. 



with more reason in their heads and less 
reason for so doing, this woman evinced 
an uncontrolable desire to primp and fix 
and comb at her hair, meanwhile never 
removing her eyes from her own face in 
the mirror. It being my method to allow 
her what privileges I could, I permitted 
her to do as her fancy inclined so long as 
it was in bounds and trotted meekly along 
at her side watching her for an hour at a 
time, trying her hair in every conceivable 
style known to the feminine mind. She 
brooked no interference when planted be- 
fore the mirror, comb in hand as she vio- 
lently wielded the hair brush and comb as 
though her life depended upon getting it 
done at a given time, and no sooner was 
the elaborate coiffeur finished than down 
it came to begin all over again with some 
altogether different style of arrangement. 
After watching this process until it be- 
gun to tell upon the nerves of Nurse L, as 
well as the patient and feeling uncomfort- 
able from the chilliness of this bathroom 
in a long cold hall, I decided that if I was 
to become mistress of this situation the 
time to assume control was at the very be- 
ginning, so speaking to my patient with 
as much kindness as I could command, but 
with no uncertain sound, I told her she 
must finish her toilet at once, as the room 

193 



was chilly and I did not wish to remain 
longer away from our room. She violent- 
ly threw both comb and brush on the floor 
with much force, slammed the door shut 
and wheeling as quickly as a cat can leap, 
planted both strong hands upon my should- 
ers, almost knocking my feet from under 
me, and stared wildly into my face and 
could as easily have strangled me to death 
had she chosen, for the strength with 
which she had thrown her hands upon my 
shoulders showed me that strong women 
that she was I would be as putty in her 
hands should she choose to use violence 
toward me. Nevertheless I pluckily stood 
my ground and even smiled I believe as I 
looked at her a second before turning my 
face aside with a pretended yawn as I ask- 
ed her to excuse me, all the while my knees 
were knocking together beneath me and 
my hair felt as though it were standing on 
end. I did not wish her to discover my 
fright as I admonished her to get a hustle 
on herself now as I was cold and wanted 
to go back to the room and retire, and pre- 
tended to be very sleepy. I chose a way 
of talking to her as though she were a ra- 
tional being, instead of one out of her 
mind, and whether this method had any 
influence over her condition or not I do 
not know, but it did have a comforting ef- 

194 



feet upon my own nerves as I thought 
how nice it would be if she were 
really as sane as I was pretending. I 
come to fancy my mode of treatment did 
help for she often told me that I seemed 
to calm her, and that she did not feel half 
so *'crazy" when I was with her, (for she 
knew she was not right), but seemed to 
have no control over her imagination most 
of the time. She did not pursue her at- 
tempt at trying to frighten me, but re- 
marked on our way back to the room "you 
are not afraid of me, are you Miss Lee?" 
I gave a fairly good imitation of a laugh 
as I thought of my fright a few moments 
ago, but replied, "I see nothing whatever 
to be afraid of, why should I be afraid?" 
"You are simply a little nervous and 
wrought up perhaps, but when you are 
thoroughly rested and built up with nour- 
ishing food you will be yourself again I 
am quite sure. Meanwhile as we are to 
depend upon one another for amusement 
and comfort for awhile, we must begin by 
being as pleasant and agreeable as we can, 
don't you think so?" I asked curious to 
see what her reply would be. 

She gave a little hysterical laugh as she 
answered, I think you know how to man- 
age me all right. At times she would un- 
dertake to command me, and wield the su- 

195 



premacy but on such occasions I assumed 
authority, and would tell her that though 
I wanted to be kind to her as I could, when 
she took a turn of this kind obstinate and 
morose, that I would not yield one iota 
and that I was the Commanding officer of 
this Brigade. We usually ended up by 
having a good laugh together, for strange 
to say she never seemed to lose a keen 
sense of humor, which is far from being a 
general characteristic of an insane person. 

She was worse during the day and after 
two weeks it was decided by the powers 
that be to send her to an institution for 
the insane twenty miles away. I felt very 
sorry when I learned of this, for though 
she was by no means a rational person, I 
did not consider her condition bad enough 
for her to be sent to this place, for as I 
believed, could she have been removed to 
some quiet place, say in the country, with 
pleasant surroundings and kind treatment, 
I believe she would have again regained 
her equilibrium mentally and once more 
become a happy as well as useful member 
of society. 

I had several letters from her after this, 
thanking me for all my kindness to her 
and requesting me to write her father in 
the West as to her whereabouts, as I 
promptly did, and hope he soon came 

196 



to take her home, for as I thought 
during my short visit there, that should 
a perfectly sane person have to take up 
their abode in such a place, as an inmate, 
I doubt if they would long remain sane in 
that bedlam of noises from the screaming, 
howling and moaning coming from the 
windows on all sides. It is needless to 
say that this part of my army nursing was 
very, very sad, and brought to my mind a 
realizing sense of a phase of war that I 
had not even dreamed of before. 

It was my disagreeable duty to accom- 
pany this girl, in company with her day 
special, also two sergeants of the hospital 
corps, to the institution for the insane 
across the city, for as the Chief nurse said 
when awakening me from my peaceful 
slumbers at midday, she would not go one 
step unless her night nurse sanctioned the 
move and accompanied her. Upon arriv- 
ing at our destination and seeing my pa- 
tient as far as was possible comfortably 
settled in her new home (if such a place 
could be called home) I learned, while in 
conversation with the doctor in charge of 
the institution, who was a woman from 
my own state, that the asylum was prac- 
tically filled with officers, men and nurses 
since the war begun, who had gone down 
in the maelstrom of one of life's greatest 

197 



woes, insanity. A sickening sense of the 
horror of war with all its multitude of 
suffering and woe overcame me for awhile 
and as I returned to the hospital I felt I 
should always be a sadder and wiser wo- 
man for having had the unpleasant expe- 
rience above mentioned. As Nurse Lee 
brushed her raven locks preparatory to re- 
tiring that night she did not wonder at 
the numerous gray hairs which a few 
months previous had been totally absent, 
but which were creeping in among the 
black tresses very rapidly, for *tis a known 
fact that sad and wearying scenes age one 
more quickly than work. It is with a wish 
to avoid anything like a tendency to em- 
phasize my own philanthropic zeal, in 
these notes, but as I am the person who 
experienced these happenings, the person- 
al pronoun I occurring frequently may 
cause some to have some such conjecture. 
I must relate the incidents as they occur- 
red, and it is with no desire to enlarge 
upon my own part in them, but I will say 
that in many instances circumstances 
seemed to help the furtherance of chari- 
table inclinations and make it possible and 
even easy to do almost the impossible in 
many matters toward helping the sick, 
suffering and wounded. 
I believe if we make it the one great ob- 

198 



ject of life to serve the Redeemer, in do- 
ing deeds of kindness and love, we will 
find that all things help to work out for 
us what we aim to do, and everything fall 
in as aids to work out our plans as we 
would have them, if always in the Lord's 
will. 

While the person who is always finding 
circumstances working against them and 
are always battling against "hard luck" as 
they term it, and sometimes have a grouch 
on life in general, it is my private opinion 
that if they would only give their life into 
the hands of their Saviour and live it in 
a desire to do His will they would find life 
much more simple and would find things 
beginning to shape themselves more in 
their favor and the scriptures would be 
fulfilled in their lives, which is written in 
the Book of James : "That all things work 
together for good to them that love the 
Lord and obey His commandments. 



199 




CHAPTER XVI 

A Happy Crowd 

)NE would almost, naturally, 
think that a ward filled with 
boys, all of whom had left an 
arm or limb on foreign fields, 
would be a rather doleful 
place to be in, but not so, for the orthope- 
dic ward at this hospital was one of the 
j oiliest places one could find in many a 
day's journey I feel safe in saying. It 
was some, one of the boys here I think, 
who originated the fashion of calling his 
neighbors by their afflictions instead of 
their names and I was rather taken a-back 
by hearing them bandy remarks of this 
sort, with perfect good humor and much 
enjoyment of the new game. "How are 
you this morning toothout ?" "Look here, 
no hand, lend me a stamp, there's a good 
feller," "I say Miss Lee, may I give *Eye- 
gone* one of these pears?" etc. 

Corporal Sands was christened Wingless 
because of the loss of an arm in the Ar- 
gonne. Very fussy about his food was 

200 



Corporal S. and much trotting of attend- 
ants was necessary when he partook of 
nourishment. Anything more irresistibly 
wheedlesome I never saw, and constantly 
found myself indulging him, like the most 
weak-minded parent, merely for the pleas- 
ure of seeing his blue eyes twinkle, his 
merry mouth break into a smile and hi* 
one hand execute a jaunty salute that was 
entirely captivating. It was ludricous be- 
yond mention to watch the boys in hilar- 
ious sham boxing matches using their ar- 
tificial hands and arms in the most expres- 
sive way giving vehement knocks and 
cuffs with these detachable members with 
evidently as much pleasure and satisfac- 
tion as though they were real. Sergeant 
B. walking up to Private L. would exclaim 
^*Hi, there, no toes, how be ye this mom- 
in'?" give us a shake!" While reaching 
forth the artificial gloved hand with which 
he was not yet familiar enough himself to 
have it adjusted properly, whereupon "No 
toes," (so christened from the loss of the 
fore part of a foot) gives a vigorous grab 
and shake which dislodges the member en- 
tirely and brings forth a burst of laugh- 
ter from all those who happen to be look- 
ing. I was here but a short time caring 
for these happy-go-lucky "Hail fellow well 
met" individuals, and was very sorry to 

201 



leave them, but in the Army one has to go 
when duty calls, and this time duty called 
me to specialling a Colonel's wife in the 
main building, through a long and tedious 
illness. Her recovery being slowly it was 
Thanksgiving day before she was able to 
be taken to her home in the city. 

She insisted upon my accompanying her 
and as we sat at meat that evening in the 
Colonel's home I partook of the first meal 
eaten in a private dwelling for almost one 
year. 

My duties in an officers ward soon after- 
ward convinced me that not all the heroes 
of the great war were among the enlisted 
men, sergeants and corporals, for some of 
these men bore their sufferings with the 
fortitude and patience of Job. 

One Major with both limbs gone was 
continually cheering on his comrades and 
causing bursts of merriment by his witty 
and clever sallies till one would almost get 
the impression that he found it a great 
beneficence to be deprived of his limbs. 

An adidtion to our ward one day of a 
Captain from Alabama and two Lieuten- 
ants from Tennessee, brought in bleeding 
and mangled as the result of an aeroplane 
crash, showed us from the bravery and pa- 
tience they exhibited in bearing their suf- 
ferings that chivalry was not the only vir- 

202 



tue a Southern gentleman could boast of. 

A Colonel, a member of Pershing's staff, 
while battling with pneumonia, contracted 
while on official duty in America, sipped 
milk from a tablespoon with as much rel- 
ish and meek quiescence as the humblest 
private and a realizing sense of the level- 
ling propensity of sickness and death in 
the army was shown when a Scottish 
Noble, member of the Embassy and son- 
in-law to an English Earl, died of pneu- 
monia, was driven through the streets to 
the morgue upon the floor of an ambu- 
lance, with no more pomp or ceremony 
than was shown Private Jones or Sergeant 
Smith when a like sudden taking away 
ended all earthly reviews. 

Late in the fall I was called to my North- 
ern home, there to nurse a member of my 
family through the Flu, and upon return- 
ing again to Washington found that not a 
vestige of likelihood remained of our get- 
ting to France at this time, the Armistice 
having been signed in the meantime, while 
my name, with twenty others, had been up 
to go "across" before I left the hospital. 
Though somewhat disappointing, our 
hearts were filled with gratitude that the 
long and bloody conflict was ended, and all 
our brave lads who had survived the perils 
and hardships of war would soon be re- 

203 



turning to their homes and loved ones once 
more. 

My year in the Army was now nearing 
its close, the nurses being mustered out of 
service right along, as the hospital begun 
to thin out and life once more ''flowed 
along like a song." There were at this 
time some twelve hundred patients, where- 
as upon our -arrival here and during the 
epidemic of Influenza, the patients num- 
bered upwards of twenty-five hundred, 
fifty of whom were nurses. A woman very 
high in the nursing world passed beyond 
from pneumonia at this time. Impressive 
indeed were the ceremonies in the little 
chapel before her final interment at Ar- 
lington, attended by the whole nursing 
personnel of the hospital, marching mili- 
tary fashion, in their white uniforms, cov- 
ered by the red lined blue army cape, left 
flap of each thrown back over the should- 
er, showing a dash of color which matched 
the red cross on each white cap. 

Before leaving the service each nurse 
was requested to return the cape and cap 
to the Red Cross which had loaned them 
to us for the duration of our service. The 
scene above mentioned recalled one of a 
similar nature we had witnessed while in 
the Base Hospital at the South. 

In this case it was a nurse who had left 

204 



her home in Canada and before arriving 
at her destination had taken pneumonia 
on the train and was so ill when arriving 
at A. had been unable to tell who she was 
or where she was going until papers found 
upon her revealed the fact that she was a 
nurse bound for our hospital. The two 
nurses detailed to bring her to the hospital 
found her on the third floor of a board- 
ing house in A. and delirious with fever, 
the poor soul never regained consciousness 
but a few moments, ere she passed away 
among total strangers, though the hands 
who cared for her at the last were as kind 
and loving as though they had belonged 
to her own flesh and blood. For each one 
might have thought as gazing upon her 
lifeless form that but for I know not what 
intervention this one lying so still and 
cold might have been I. 

Though all were strange to her, the fifty 
nurses who attended her funeral services 
at the undertaking parlor will scarcely 
ever forget the impressive and touching 
scene. The flag-draped casket of our sis- 
ter nurse, dressed in uniform even to the 
little red cross cap she had never worn in 
life, as truly dying for her country as any 
brave hero upon the battle field of France, 
coming such a long distance to do her bit, 
had been called the first from our ranks to 

205 



answer the Great Roll Call above. Though 
no relative or friends were there to show 
the last loving respect, not a dry eye was 
present in that throng, even the kind- 
hearted undertaker was so touched with 
emotion that he wept like a father over 
the lonely casket. 



206 




CHAPTER XVII. 

Leaving the Service 

lY LAST fortnight spent in the 
hospital at Washington was 
in a ward for pneumonia. As 
though my life the last year 
had moved in a circle, I had 
started on December 8, in Ward 24 for 
pneumonia and ended my work December 
8, one year later, in a ward by the same 
number and containing pneumonia pa- 
tients, though the field of action was one 
thousand miles apart. 

There were many sad scenes occurred 
during the work here, for our ward con- 
tained a great many of those patients who 
had survived the terrible onslaught of Flu 
and pneumonia which had visited the hos- 
pital with such force a few weeks pre- 
vious, leaving strong men weakened and 
amaciated to such a degree that though 
we gave them the best of care that was 
possible under the circumstances, almost 
every day saw our ranks depleted until we 
almost despaired of saving any. 

207 



There was one bright boy in our ward 
who continually called me Mother in his 
delirium and in his rational moments used 
to talk of his home and mother in a most 
touching manner. He was an only son, 
college student, and used to tell the boys 
of the wonderful pies, mince, apple and 
pumpkin, he knew his mother would have 
prepared for him when he should be at 
home Christmas, that festive holiday not 
being far away. But his fever refused to 
go down and his lungs, never very strong 
since his long siege of Flu, were in a very 
bad way. I watched him closely along 
with the Captain of the ward, and shall 
never forget the last day he was in my 
ward. There was another ward for worse 
cases of pneumonia, and Manning dreaded 
lest he should be transferred to that ward. 
We still had so many cases of influenza in 
our ward that as a case developed pneu- 
monia in a bad form, it was moved to the 
next. Manning had pleaded for me not to 
let them move him away from the ward, 
but knowing how useless it would be to re- 
quest his being left, I could only pray that 
he would not be moved. But my heart 
sank upon entering the ward one morning 
and finding his bed empty. It lacked a 
little time of being 7, the time I was to 
report for duty, so I ran over to the ward 

208 



where he had been taken. As I walked 
down the long ward looking for my boy's 
familiar face, he spied me first, and his 
eyes lighted up as he exclaimed, "Oh ! Miss 
Lee, I am so glad you have come, are 
you going to work in this ward now?" I 
hated to tell him I was not, so I said "I 
will come in to see you each morning and 
evening as I go to and from work, so cheer 
up and be the brave boy you have always 
been, and you will soon be getting well," 
but I fear the words sounded hollow, for I 
could see he was sinking fast. I told him 
good bye, placing a kiss upon his forehead 
and bade him be brave and wended my 
way with a sad heart, for well I knew I 
should see Manning no more, and my heart 
went out in pity to the sorrowing home 
somewhere in Syracuse, New York, to the 
mother whose boy had called so piteously 
for her in his delirium. 

I stopped that evening as soon as my 
duties in the ward had ended, but it was 
as I had expected. Manning had gone to 
stand last retreat in that land where suf- 
fering is no more. 

In another week the ward was pretty 
well thinned, those to whom the task of 
recovery had been too great an effort, 
crossing the border to join their comrades 
in a l^etter land, while those for whom it 

209 



was decreed they should take up the bur- 
den of life once more were now making 
wonderful strides toward recovery, going 
as they became able to their homes for 
the Christmas holidays. Soon after this, 
upon looking at the day's buletin in the 
reception hall before going on duty one 
morning, I was gladdened to see my name 
with some twenty others up for release 
from duty. We who had been in the ser- 
vice for a year and over had grown weary 
and tired of the sad scenes of suffering and 
death, but had there been need for it, 
would have stayed on indefinitely but now 
new and fresh nurses were joining the 
Red Cross right along so as it came our 
turn we were very glad to be released and 
take up our place once more out in the 
world among the vast army of toilers. 

So after a few days spent in transfer- 
ring those patients who remained in the 
ward, for the hospital had thinned down 
so that several wards were marged into 
one, as their numbers grew less. Our last 
good byes over, there yet remained one 
day to be taken up undergoing sundry ex- 
aminations, physical and mental, as Uncle 
Sam wanted to be sure we were all return- 
ing to the world at large with the same 
store of physical and mental ability which 
we possessed upon entering his service, or 

210 



if not to recompense us as best he could 
for our loss. 

One bright morning, just one year from 
the day I had so enthusiastically entered 
the Army Nursing services at the South- 
ern Camp Hospital, an ambulance drove up 
to the nurses' quarters and twenty nurses 
with bags in hand (our trunks having 
gone in another wagon) passed in line be- 
fore the Chief nurse who bade us a fond 
farewell, good luck and best wishes upon 
our journey, for some were to go to homes 
in different parts of the country, while a 
few like myself, were to remain in Wash- 
ington for awhile. The feeling of freedom 
of being our own mistress once more after 
being at the beck and call of Army orders, 
was indescribable, and only those who have 
ever been bound by that inexorable iron 
hand, be the work ever so agreeable, can 
understand what it meant. I flew to a 
haven of rest in the shape of a cozy homey 
little apartment in northwest Washing- 
ton, for my sister and a girl from our 
home town had just taken a place in that 
location, and I was to live with them. And 
to say I enjoyed that Christmas in a little 
home of luxury, ease and comfort, is put- 
ting it mildly, for no one who has not 
banged about, moving from one room to 
another about every month, with no per- 

211 



manent place or work, living in a sort of 
topsy-turvy dormitory, whose days were 
spent in trying to console and comfort the 
sick and suffering and continually witness- 
ing saddening scenes of sorrow and death 
for a long twelve months, I fear can not 
begin to realize just what the comfort and 
rest of a quiet home life once more did 
mean. 

I rested for awhile and then as an epi- 
demic of pneumonia and influenza seemed 
to be breaking out afresh in the city, I 
registered for work and have been busily 
caring for the sick ever since, except what 
time I have wished to take for recreation 
and rest. 

"With faltering footsteps I will journey 
on. 

Watching the stars that roll the hours 
away. 

Till the faint light that guides me now is 
gone. 

And, hke another life, the glorious day 

Shall open o*er me from the empyrean 
height 

With warmth, and certainty, and bound- 
less light." 

Before bringing the little book to a 
close, I will try and answer a few of the 
many questions which have been asked me 

212 



concerning the hospital at Washington, 
the name of which I have refrained from 
mentioning, though I am quite sure none 
of my readers are at a loss to know what 
the name of the hospital is. My first im- 
pression upon alighting here was of a lit- 
tle city complete in itself. Covering about 
two hundred acres of ground, containing 
upwards of seventy five or eighty wards, 
at that time, with a personnel of 400 offi- 
cers, twenty-five hundred patients, two 
hundred nurses, seventy-five reconstruc- 
tion workers and about the same number 
of student nurses. 

Having its own Post Office, Laundry, 
Bakery, Y. M. C. A., Recreation Buildings 
and Clubs. 

As it is continually increasing in size 
and inhabitants, it is hard to give any de- 
finite statistics concerning the place. A 
whole city of sick and disabled menfolks, 
is somewhat unusual. In walking about 
the corridors to and from the nurses' quar- 
ters to the hospital, or about the grounds 
in any direction, one always met soldiers 
sometimes in squads, sometimes in two's 
and three's or one alone, walking on 
crutches or several in wheel chairs, with 
both limbs gone by the explosion of some 
infernal machine invented to wreck men's 
lives. 

213 



Many there were with one or the other 
sleeve hanging empty, young boyish faces, 
so different from those one has been accus- 
tomed to see, where the empty sleeve be- 
longed usually to some aged veteran in a 
suit of blue or gray. But to see these young 
boys in the fresh bloom of youth come 
back so maimed and stricken was very 
touching indeed. Then to visit the wards 
for those poor helpless wrecks of young 
manhood, whose injuries are of the spine 
and who will never walk again, was most 
heart-rending. 

Then others, victims of tuberculosis, 
contracted from exposure to cold, wet, 
hunger and injuries too numerous to m^en- 
tion while in the trenches, and worst of all, 
that long line of wrecked manhood suffer- 
ing with diseases too horrible to contem- 
plate, made this hospital anything but a 
pleasure resort, but as some of the boys 
said, "it was heaven compared to what 
they had been through." 

It grieved me much to see so many of 
the boys total slaves to the trifling habit 
of cigarette smoking. This vast army of 
sufferers not realizing as yet the full ex- 
tent of their affliction. Alas! it grieves 
me far more that for this curse they are 
forever indebted to many well meaning 
American citizens. For if ever a misap- 

214 



plied philanthropy was born of the lower 
world, that same "wolf in sheeps clothing" 
was the sending of cigarettes to our sol- 
dier boys. 

Many a boy who had never poisoned his 
system by smoke before going to war, 
came back an abject slave to a habit, de- 
moralizing in the extreme. 

Oh ! the pity of it ! That our American 
women and girls should follow so blindly 
such mistaken charity. Should in thought- 
lessness and ignorance send our boys that 
which should poison their young bodies, 
and ruin their souls eternally. To follow 
a fad, started no doubt by the unrighteous 
tobacco combines, to fill their own coffers 
at the expense of the lives and clean man- 
hood of many of our boys. For the slave 
of tobacco cannot live the full rounded life 
a man should live before God, for it de- 
stroys the finer sensibilities of the brain, 
therefore rendering the user incapable of 
seeing truly, reasoning truly, or living 
truly. 

It was a wholesale national wrong we 
perpetrated upon our boys in their help- 
lessness, and for which God will require 
an answer at the judgment bar. 

I am going to quote here an article on 
tobacco by one of the most able and Godly 
ministers in America today. The author is 

215 



a D.D. of National repute, editor of a 
Christian paper and president of one of our 
Christian colleges. He says : 

"Statistics show that last year (1919) 
this country expended for tobacco $1,200,- 
000,000. The war, among its many other 
evils, was a great tobacco revival. It is 
startling when we remind ourselves of the 
fact that millions of people are actually 
starving to death for food and the price of 
necessities of life are so high, that even 
the industrious poor must go underfed, 
that millions of acres of land and millions 
of laborers are used for the production of 
a poisonous weed that is neither food, 
clothing nor medicine, but is poison, un- 
healthy, uncleanly and hurtful to all things 
that are best. 

Godly men ought not to raise tobacco, 
ought not to buy, sell or use it. We be- 
lieve there are Christian men, many of 
them, mixed up and connected with the 
tobacco industry, but with the proper 
light on the subject, we believe they would 
turn away from it. With men who love 
God, trust in Jesus Christ and hope to 
make their home in heaven, the right or 
wrong of the thing must always be of first 
consideration. With them it must not be 
a question of money, but, is it right ? The 
whole tobacco business measured by this 

216 



standard means a f orks-of-the-road propo- 
sition, and the devout man must bid fare- 
well to the dirty weed. He will see that to 
raise and sell an unhealthy weed which 
means a waste of money to him who huys 
it, and not only so, but a hurt to his 
health, and an injury to his usefulness is 
entirely contrary to the spirit and teach- 
ings of the Lord Jesus. The whole tobac- 
co business, from start to finish, has its 
beginning and end in selfishness, world 
without end." 

So much sorrow and suffering to the 
human race is entailed in a lack of proper 
teaching of the child in the homes all over 
our land. Perhaps there are those who 
smile derisively at the thought of a spin- 
ster giving an opinion as to how the child 
should be taught, but I hope to be borne 
out by the more broad-minded and gener- 
ous of my countrymen and women in the 
statement that if the simple truths of the 
Bible were freely taught the young child 
along with its lessons of cleanliness and 
first juvenile learnings, it would give the 
child so taught a far more beneficial out- 
look upon life and help him in every way 
he may turn. 

So many grow to manhood and woman- 
hood without expending much thought 

217 



upon the meaning and purpose of life, (due 
to neglect of, or default in teaching those 
simple rudiments of life that Jesus 
taught), to the child as a rule to gauge 
their lives by not knowing or realizing 
that their own best good, as well as that 
of all persons with whom they come in 
contact with, is more or less influenced for 
good or evil, by their observance of, or 
lack of such teaching. It is a very sad 
truth that there are those who have not 
hesitated to sneer at those lowly teachings 
as the theme of fools, the hobby of enthu- 
siasts, or the fanaticism of religious 
idiots. 

You may agree with them if you like, 
but while I find these things treated with 
all soberness in the Scriptures and bless- 
ing spoken from heaven upon those who 
heed and obey them, I must persist in a 
different judgment, and ask to be excused 
for believing with all my heart that in this 
teaching we have a theme which grasps 
deep into everything dear to us for time 
and eternity. 

The Bible says that "he that doeth His 
will shall know the truth which implies 
that if we wish to know whether these 
things be true, we will set about obeying 
them, then, the Spirit Himself will make 
the truth of them plain to the seeker. 

218 



May the Lord have mercy upon us and 
save us from the sin of unbelief. 

Some may think that this old world is 
fast growing into the millenium. In our 
day especially, people are looking and la- 
boring for a grand jubilee of nations, 
shaped to popular rule, and compacted by 
common laws, interests and creed, in 
which enlightened ideas shall bring about 
that state of perfection of government we 
all look forward longingly for, in which 
revolutions and reforms and progress of 
liberal ideas and overturning of old creeds 
for the redemption of the world without 
Chrst, and glorious philosophies ruling out 
a personal Saviour, and exalting self and 
passion in His place. But all their glitter- 
ing ideals, of which to reconstruct society 
and relocate the highest interests of man, 
much as they may promise, and success- 
fully as they may draw the heart and en- 
ergy of the world after them, apart from 
faith in the blood of Christ, are but the 
nurslings of Satan's bosom, in which this 
world lies, and the inspiration of his foul 
breath. Dream, and prate, and preach, 
and glory as men may, the Bible tells us 
that the devil is the god and king of this 
world. His mantle may be often changed, 
and every day may exhibit a new garb, but 

219 



the presiding geniues within is still that 
old serpent, with all his pride and malice 
and falsities. And so it will go on, "wick- 
ed men and seducers waxing worse and 
worse," till the last trumpet sounds. Then 
shall come another order, not developed 
from below, but enforced with sudden and 
resistless power from above. Christ said, 
"My kingdom is not of this world, it Com- 
eth from above." A kingdom comes which 
breaks in pieces, and consumes all other 
kingdoms and stands forever. Having 
given the world six thousand years in 
which to choose and settle upon its proper 
allegiance, and finding after all only an 
intenser and more malignant apostasy 
among the majority of worldings, He 
causes the final trumpet to sound, breaks 
in with His Almightiness, and enforces His 
rightful dominion. When that day comes it 
shall find wickedness and iniquity ripened 
to the full. But when the seventh trumpet 
sounds it will forever put an end to all in- 
famous, unrighteousness of men, and the 
maddened nations shall suddenly be dash- 
ed to atoms, as a vessel of pottery struck 
with a rod of iron. 0! glorious riddance 
of our weary world, when "the Son of Man 
shall send forth His angels, and they shall 
gather out of His kingdom all things that 



220 



offend, and them which do iniquity." Well, 
may the enthroned Elders fall on their 
faces and cry their thanks to the Lord 
Almighty for it. Another item in the 
schedule of the last trumpet is, that the 
dead are to be judged then. When men 
die and their bodies waste in the ground, 
it is not the end of them. Whatever may 
be their state meanwhile, they reappear 
again. The holy Apostle John sees them, 
the small and the great, all standing be- 
fore the great white throne, to be judged, 
every one of them, according to their 
works. 

There is to be a resurrection, even, of 
the wicked. Some may think this a weird 
and doleful subject to introduce into my 
story, but as the book of Truth tells us 
that such are the state of things, which 
are to come to pass, I am of the opinion 
that it were far better to think upon them 
occasionally, and look them squarely in 
the face, and try to be prepared for such 
a time, than to foolishly put them aside, 
afraid to look into them, and let that day 
come upon us unawares. It would, in my 
mind, be equal to the folly of a passen- 
ger upon an ocean liner, learning that the 
vessel was sinking, to get into a frenzy be- 
cause some one had spoken of so dismal a 

221 



subject, and declaim that he would rather 
not be bothered about such things. No, my 
friends. Not one of all who have ever 
lived upon this earth can escape that day 
and time. They that put an end to their 
existence on earth, resolving not to live 
any more, must still live, and take the 
sentence of Heaven for all their deeds. 
This side the grave, full justice is never 
done, and up to that great day, no one re- 
ceives entirely all his deserts. That is re- 
served for the period of resurrection. 
-Many a great criminal dies without hav- 
ing had his guilt so much as known, whilst 
perchance, innocent ones have had to suf- 
fer for his sins. The wicked go unpunish- 
ed, are even honored sometimes in their 
crimes, and pass away with no experiences 
to mark how they stand in the estimate 
of Grod. Fortunes are made, and enjoyed, 
and respected, and their holders held in 
favorable esteem to the end of their days, 
every dime of which is stained and cor- 
roded with crime, and marked with fraud, 
oppression and deeds of injustice. So 
marked and constant are the inequalities 
that occur, that even the holiest of per- 
sons have often been tempted to despond- 
ency whether their faith and godliness 
are njot after all a mistake. Nor is their 

222 



at times any adequate justification for 
their course but in the fact that the end 
of the matter is not in this world. Be- 
yond is the theatre on which final settle- 
ment is to be made, there shall all earth's 
wrongs be righted, all present inequalities 
adjusted and the administrations of God 
forever vindicated. The dead have not 
gone beyond His reach. The grave does 
not cover them from His sight nor bar 
them from His power. Having escaped 
unpunished from this world, their just 
portion still awaits them in the next. Peo- 
ple may call it fable, and dream, and rea- 
son it away as impossible, but that will 
not alter it. And when the seventh angel 
sounds, there will be exultant thanksgiv- 
ings in heaven, that "the time of the dead 
to be judged" is come. While the Lord 
keeps those happy here who serve Him, no 
Christian looks for his compensation in 
this world. *Tor if in this life only we 
have hope in Christ, we are most miser- 
able," said Paul. Piety may not always 
pay as regards this world, but it will pay 
then. Not even the gift of a cup of water 
to the thirsty in His name, shall then go 
unrewarded, not a loss, or pain, or labor 
of love, or a tear of sorrow, incurred for 
Jesus or His Truth's sake, shall fail of its 



223 



just recompense. Rewards for all who 
hold steadfast, and suffer aught in Jesus 
name and for all that fear God small and 
great are in reserve. Jesus has gone to 
make them ready. Faith sees them there, 
and waits for them with eager hope. And 
when the last trumpet sounds, they shall 
be given. Then shall Paul get his "crown 
of righteousness," and all the Apostles 
take their everlasting thrones. Then shall 
Moses possess the recompense to which he 
had respect, when he chose rather "to suf- 
fer affliction with the people of God, than 
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." 
And every one that hath forsaken houses, 
or brethren, or sisters, or father, or moth- 
er, or wife or children or lands for the 
sake of God and His Christ, shall receive 
a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlast- 
ing life. No wonder then that the blessed 
Elders fall on their faces before God and 
praise and thank Him with profoundest 
song, when the signal for so glorious a 
consummation sounds. Nor is all this 
without the most intent moment to us. We 
are all concerned with that last trumpet^s 
sound. Our eternal interests are wrapped 
up in what it is to bring. Big is it with 
the doom and destiny of every one, and 
everything that is. Be our place^ our 

224 



.occupation what it may, our fate and lot, 
and every question, every doubt, shall 
then come to final settlement. Near or re- 
mote as those scenes may be we shall all 
be in them, and take from these the char- 
acter of our forever. Believe it or not, we 
every one shall be there; there as victims 
of the great day of Almighty wrath, as 
prisoners brought forth for final execu- 
tion, or, as the friends and servants pf 
Jesus, to be confessed, rewarded, and glor- 
ified by our blessed Lord. And as we 
spend these swift-passing days, and con- 
duct ourselves in this brief life, will be 
the character of our portion then. Building 
on Jesus in humble faith and lowly stead- 
fastness, we are safe, and our work is safe. 
Then may we rejoice, and be exceedingly 
glad, for great is the reward that we shall 
get. Otherwise there is no dreader sound 
than that of the last trumpet. And when 
we think of the millions of dead and liv- 
ing for whom it has no blessing, and of 
the utter destruction which it shall bring 
on them that know not God, and obey not 
the Gospel, is there not a reason for us all 
to be moved with fear, lest that day should 
come upon us unawares? It will be too 
late then to remedy present mistakes, neg- 
ligences and omissions. If we are to meet 

225 



that day with joy, and escape the horrors 
it brings to the unprepared, we must be 
getting ready now, getting ready by hon- 
est repentance of our sins, joining our- 
selves to Christ, and His people, and with 
all our heart and energy seeking to be in 
accord with His word and will. Happy 
they who, when the last trumpet sounds, 
shall be found in such a case! 

**Jesus, do thou mine eyes unseal, 

And let them grow. 
Quick to discern whatever Thou dost re- 
veal. 
So shall I be delivered from that woe, 
Blindly to stray 

Through hopeless night, while all around 
is day." 

I am indebted to a number of authors 
whose quotations I have used freely 
throughout this little book, believing that 
if a thing is worth writing once, it will 
bear to be repeated, properly punctuated, 
showing that it originated elsewhere. 

For a gem of truth, like the loaves and 
fishes, can be fed to the multitude, and 
still remain to feed multitudes more, and 
regardless of having been read and re- 
read, is ever new and profitable reading. 

Since this little bit of narrations has 

226 



been finished, I hesitate, and wonder if it 
is worth while troubling the publishers 
with it, but hoping some may find amuse- 
ment or profit from its pages, I send it on, 
and though it started with a State Capital 
and ended in the Nation's Capital, I can 
scarcely hope for such a wide scope for its 
travels. 

Go, little book, and if you can, 
Win some one to think and plan 
For a higher life and better place. 
Than this old world, so war effaced. 
And if that soul should gain a home 
Within the portals ne'er to roam, 
With all its treasures to imburse 
I hope he'll meet this Red Cross Nurse. 

(The End) 



227 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



JL0liJj5j571 (P 



